Awards won by Steve Nash

MVP 2005

In 2005, Nash became one of the most distinctive players ever to win the NBA MVP award. He is the first Canadian and the second foreign-born player (after Hakeem Olajuwon) to earn the honor (San Antonio's Tim Duncan was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, an insular area of the United States). Along with Allen Iverson, he is one of only two players under 6'6" to garner the accolade in the last four decades. He is the first MVP who did not lead his team in scoring since Dave Cowens in 1972-73. (Coincidentally, the 2004-05 runner-up, Shaquille O'Neal, did not lead his team in scoring either.) He had the third-lowest all-time scoring average for an MVP, ahead of only Wes Unseld (13.8 in 1969) and Bill Russell (14.1 in 1965). Nash is just the fourth point guard ever to be named MVP -- alongside legends Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, and Bob Cousy -- and only the sixth guard (Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan). He is also the first white player to win the award since Larry Bird in 1985-86.

MVP 2005

Although the Suns had a great season in 2005, they weren't able to keep their roster intact during the offseason. The two biggest losses were Joe Johnson, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, and Quentin Richardson who was traded to the New York Knicks. The players that the Suns received in return were Kurt Thomas from the Knicks, and the more obscure Boris Diaw from the Hawks. The Suns did not sign any significant free agents. This was made worse by an injury to Amare Stoudemire, which sidelined him for much of the 2006 season. With a new starting lineup consisting of mainly unproven players and no true center, the Suns were not even expected to be a playoff team, let alone repeat their magical 2005 season. However, due to Nash's leadership and the great play of teammates like Marion and Diaw, the Suns remain one of the elite teams in the NBA. Despite the injury to Stoudemire, the Suns have scored over 100 points per game and seven Suns average in double figures. Thanks to Nash's play, he was voted as a first time starter for the 2006 Western All Star team (he was a reserve in his previous appearances). So far this season, Nash has posted a career high 19 points a game and even though he has shot the ball more, he is still the league leader in assists. Nash has been mentioned to be the league's MVP again should this continue. Among those who have named Nash as the frontrunner include current players like Allen Iverson and former players like Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson.