He looks a little out of place for sure; the tiny white soccer player who dominates the hardwood like the tall, athletic African-Americans who are truly considered the best in the NBA. But while his physique certainly doesn't intimidate, his uncanny ability to run circles around any defense terrifies everybody he faces. Equally proficient in turning impossible angles into easy opportunities for both himself and his teammates, Nash can burn people any way he wants and make it look way to easy for a skinny white kid from Canada.
The Basketball Gods created a truly unique specimen; a glorious union of Stockton and Pistol Pete who'd be among the league's leading scorers if he didn't have so many able teammates to create shots for...and wasn't so fucking good at it. It's remarkable watching him play because he gives up so much in size and athleticism against almost every opponent, yet he has so much on them in pure basketball ability. Nash has a feel for the game few have ever possessed; he sees things other don't, makes moves others wouldn't think to and looks smoother than the warm butter he turns defenses into. His constant movements keep defenses alert and because he's the league's best passer and one of its deadliest shooters, he sucks in coverage like a black hole anywhere inside 30 feet and gives the likes of Amare and Shaq that much more room to operate.
With such praises raining down on him, you might wonder why he's isn't a little higher. I tried convincing myself I'd rather have Nash on my squad than some of the guys just ahead of him, but if any player this high on the list has truly seen his best years, it's him. Already a late bloomer by NBA standards, he's milked his prime longer than Mark Cuban and everyone else believe he could. By the time last year's playoffs rolled around, Steve was visibly strained; a step slow with and without the ball while Tony Parker dominated him worse than he is by Eva. Nash was never one to really, you know, play defense, but last season he was just a straight up liability. With D'Antoni gone and presumably more of an emphasis on D in Phoenix, this will put more of an onus on him than ever before...and probably won't work out so well. Though a player like Steve who relies on skills rather than athleticism tends to age well, it might not be enough for the Suns, who suddenly look very old; like they're almost setting, and more out of place among the West playoff teams than Nash looks this high on the list.
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