Kid Canada

Born in South Africa, and growing up in Victoria, BC, Steve Nash had a lot of athletic influence in his life. His father was a professional soccer player in South Africa, and his brother played for the Vancouver Whitecaps, making over 30 appearances on the Canadian national soccer team. Although Steve Nash grew up playing soccer (he was named player of the year in British Colombia during high school), he started to focus on basketball in his early teens. After getting a scholarship to Santa Clara University, Steve Nash led the West Coast Conference in points, assists, and three-point percentage for most of his college career. Steve Nash also helped the Broncos make two NCAA tournament appearances; both times his team upset a higher seeded opponent.

Steve Nash was eventually drafted by the Phoenix Suns with their fifteenth overall pick in 1996, (same year as Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant) but he saw very little playing time in his first two seasons in Phoenix. He was eventually traded away to Dallas on draft day for Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, and the draft rights to Pat Garrity. Although Nash struggled in his first few seasons in Dallas he eventually had a breakout season when joined by Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Finley.

Although Nash was a two time all-star in Dallas, Mark Cuban; the owner of the franchise, chose not to extend his contract and wished him good luck wherever else he might find it. Little did the outspoken billionaire know; he was letting go of the player that would go on to make NBA history with the next team he played for. Phoenix Suns, the team with whom Nash started his career, were more than happy to offer Steve Nash a six year 66 million dollar contract to lead the Suns after their dismal second last place finish in the Pacific Division. After a 29-53 win-loss record in the previous season, Steve Nash led the “run and gun” Phoenix Suns team to an NBA best 31-5 start, an NBA best 110.4 points per game, and an NBA best 62-20 record for the season. The 33-game improvement is also the third best in league history behind San Antonio who did it twice.

Steve Nash also averaged 11.5 assists per game that season, the highest total since John Stockton, and that was before Nash entered the NBA in 1995. He also shot a remarkable 50.2% from the field, and ranked third in double doubles during the season with 49, both of which, are stats unheard of from players who play his position. Steve Nash also helped the Suns sweep the Grizzlies in the playoffs, defeat his former team in the second round, and then he lead his squad against the San Antonio Spurs. Although the playoff run ended in the western conference finals for the Phoenix Suns, the future looked very optimistic.

While Mike D’Antoni was named Coach of the Year for the Phoenix Suns, it was Steve Nash who got the most prestigious honour in the NBA; the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada, Steve Nash narrowly edged Shaquille O’Neal to be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. He also became the first Canadian player, and the second ever international player (the other being Hakeem Olajuwon) to win the award. After an absolute amazing season in basketball, Steve Nash also named the Canadian male athlete of the year.

His second season in Phoenix saw several changes in the Suns lineup, as well as difficulties with injuries. Two of the top five scorers on the lineup (Quentin Richardson, and Joe Johnson) went to New York and Atlanta respectively, and the leading scorer on the Phoenix Suns (Amare Stoudemire) underwent knee surgery causing him to miss all but three games in the 2005-2006 season. The starting lineup had only two players left from the previous year and another successful season seemed next to impossible for the Suns. Steve Nash however, once again proved the disbelievers wrong. He led the Phoenix Suns to the top of the Pacific Division for the second year in a row, and he helped the Suns average an NBA best 107.2 points per game. This season Steve Nash had career highs in scoring (18.8), rebounding (4.2), field goal percentage (51.2%), and free throw percentage (an NBA best 92.1%). After leading the league for the second straight year with 10.5 assists per game, he becomes only the ninth player in NBA history to win back to back MVP awards, and only the second ever point guard to do so (the other being Magic Johnson). This year he was a runaway winner with 57 first place votes, ahead of Kobe Bryant who finished with 22.

Steve Nash first heard of his consecutive MVP title rein while the Phoenix Suns trailed the Lakers 3-1 games. In the history of the NBA, only seven teams have ever comeback after trailing 3-1 in a playoff series, but Steve Nash was not about to let his second seeded Suns be upset in a blowout series by the Lakers. Steve Nash led his team back from the two game deficits in style, and by the end of game seven. The Lakers got blown out by 31 points, their worst game seven loss in over 35 years. Phil Jackson (the Lakers head coach) who had previously won 45 series’ in a row, when leading in a playoff series took his first loss as the Phoenix Suns made a very improbable comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

Steve Nash highlights everything that is good about the game of basketball, his unselfish “pass first, shoot second” mentality continues to improve the performances of the players around him. Steve Nash is an excellent shooter, a true role model, and he is the catalyst to the most electrifying team in the NBA. His style of play is significantly different than many of the other superstars around the league, but his hard work ethic both on and off the court really makes Steve Nash truly standout.

Through the course of his career the perception of Steve Nash has changed drastically throughout the NBA. In his rookie year he was booed by the Phoenix crowd for being selected with the 15th pick in the first round, and in his first year in Dallas he was booed for being over paid and under proven. Today however, Mark Cuban’s decision not to renew Nash’s contract in Dallas has been widely criticized throughout the NBA. When Nash hoisted his second consecutive MVP trophy in Phoenix, he did so amidst 20,000 roaring, Nash fans.

Nash has also set up the Steve Nash Foundation to help underprivileged kids around the world in all aspects of their lives.

“I started this Foundation because I really felt the need to try to help people. As a professional athlete, you are in a position and given the opportunity to really have an impact on more than just your immediate surroundings. For me to be able to do that is something that’s sometimes challenging, but always worthwhile.” Steve Nash

Other than donating his own money towards good causes, Steve Nash also makes time to visit sick children in hospitals. After winning the MVP award in 2005, Steve Nash had several multi-million dollar endorsement offers from big name companies, all of which he turned down before leaving on a humanitarian trip to Central America. Other than being an amazing athlete, and a superstar basketball player, Steve Nash is also one of the best role models that the world of professional sports has to offer.