5 best Canadian basketball players ever
By Nam Tran
2. Steve Nash
What can I say about Steve Nash that hasn’t been said before? He is the best Canadian basketball player ever (though, Andrew Wiggins could take over that title one day). Nash, who was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to Victoria, British Colombia when he was a baby, has checked off many items from the basketball bucket list. He is the first Canadian to be crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and the first Canadian to be selected to play in the All-Star game (and this is just the tip of his accomplishments).
But let’s talk a little more about his MVP seasons. After playing six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Nash decided to make a return to Phoenix, the team that drafted him in 1996 with the 15th overall pick, in 2004. This ended up being a great decision for the then 30-year-old, as he excelled in the Suns’ “Seven seconds or less” offense. He ended the season leading the league in assists with 11.5 per game while averaging 15.5 points on 50.2 percent shooting. Because of his outstanding play and leadership, which helped the Suns to a 62 win season and the best record in the league, Nash was voted as the NBA’s MVP.
Nash’s play was even more impressive the following season. With fellow All-Star and teammate Amar’e Stoudemire out the entire season (except for three games) due to an injury, Nash was still able to lead the Suns to a 54 win season and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Once again, Nash led the league in assists (10.5 per game). He also averaged 18.8 points per game.
Additionally, Nash added a new achievement to his record books that season. By making 51 percent of field goals attempted, 44 percent of 3-point field goals attempted and 92 percent of free throws attempted, he entered the 50-40-90 club. This would be the first of four entries into this club by Nash.
After another spectacular season in 2005-06, Nash was once again named the NBA’s MVP.
Nash continued to play phenomenally for the Suns, but he and the team were never able to make it to the NBA Finals. So in 2012, after eight seasons playing in Phoenix, the Canadian was traded to the L.A. Lakers. Following two injury-riddled seasons in Los Angeles, Nash decided to retire.
In October of 2015, the Phoenix Suns honored Nash by inducting him into the Ring of Honor and retiring his No. 13 jersey.