Steve Nash (Part 2)

In the 2006–07 NBA season, Nash continued to showcase his exceptional skills, delivering another stellar campaign. He averaged 18.6 points and a career-high 11.6 assists per game, a feat achieved by only one other player since Magic Johnson in the 1990–91 season—highlighting Nash's remarkable playmaking abilities.
Nash's outstanding performance earned him significant recognition, as he received the most votes for the first-team All-NBA, alongside teammate Amar'e Stoudemire. This marked the first time since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in the 2003–04 season that teammates had secured spots on the first team. Nash's accolades continued as he narrowly missed out on securing his third consecutive MVP award, finishing second in the voting with 44 first-place votes, trailing behind Dirk Nowitzki who received 83 first-place votes.
In the 2007 playoffs, the Suns demonstrated their prowess by eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. However, their journey came to an end in the conference semifinals, where they fell to the San Antonio Spurs in a hard-fought series, losing 4–2. Despite the disappointment of not advancing further, Nash's leadership and contributions on the court remained instrumental in the Suns' postseason efforts, further solidifying his status as one of the league's premier players.


During the 2007–08 NBA season, Nash demonstrated his durability and leadership by appearing in 81 regular season games despite the heightened competition in the Western Conference. Despite facing stiff competition, Nash guided the Suns to an impressive 55 wins and secured the sixth seed for the 2008 playoffs.
While there was a slight decline in his regular season statistics, Nash's shooting remained exceptional, maintaining a level of accuracy comparable to his MVP campaign in 2005–06. He showcased his efficiency by shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the free-throw line, reaffirming his reputation as one of the league's most accurate shooters.


On January 31, 2008, Nash earned his sixth All-Star selection, a testament to his consistent excellence on the court. However, despite the mid-season acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal in exchange for Shawn Marion, the Suns faced disappointment in the playoffs. In a recurring theme, they were eliminated in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in four years.
The series came down to a decisive Game 5, where Nash, despite his stellar performances throughout the season, faced challenges in the crucial moments of the game. Perceived to have struggled with "elimination-game jitters," Nash committed crucial turnovers in the final minutes of a closely contested match. Despite this setback, Nash's contributions were recognized as he was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the 2007–08 season, highlighting his continued impact and influence in the league.


The 2009–10 NBA season saw Nash and the Phoenix Suns start off with a bang, showcasing strong performances and amassing an impressive 8–1 record in their first nine games. Nash himself displayed his exceptional playmaking skills with two games where he dished out 20 or more assists, a feat that underscored his importance to the team's success.
In recognition of his stellar play, Nash was named as the starting point guard for the Western Conference in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, further solidifying his status as one of the league's premier talents.
Operating at the helm, Nash orchestrated an offense that once again ranked as the highest-scoring team in the league for the fifth consecutive season. The Suns finished the regular season with a solid record of 54 wins, securing the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.


Powered by solid performances from players like Jason Richardson and veteran Grant Hill, the Suns embarked on a successful postseason campaign. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round with a 4–2 series victory, followed by an impressive sweep of the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
In the Western Conference finals, the Suns faced the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite initially trailing in the series, Phoenix fought back to tie the series at 2–2. However, a buzzer-beater by Ron Artest in Game 5 and a dominant 37-point performance by Kobe Bryant in Game 6 ultimately sealed the Suns' fate, ending their championship aspirations for the season. Despite the disappointment, Nash's leadership and contributions throughout the season were evident, further solidifying his legacy as one of the game's greatest point guards.


The 2010–11 season brought significant roster changes for the Phoenix Suns. The departure of key player Amar'e Stoudemire to the New York Knicks during the preseason marked the end of an era for the Suns. Additionally, longtime teammate Leandro Barbosa was traded, with Hedo Türkoğlu coming in as part of the deal. The Suns also bolstered their roster with the additions of Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick.


However, the roster shake-up didn't end there. Early in the season, Türkoğlu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark were traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, and Mickaël Piétrus. Additionally, rising star Goran Dragić was dealt to the Houston Rockets for Aaron Brooks.
These roster changes resulted in a challenging season for the Suns, who struggled to maintain a .500 record. Despite their efforts, the team fell short, and for the second time since Nash's return to Phoenix, they failed to qualify for the 2011 playoffs. The season marked a period of transition and adjustment for the Suns as they adapted to their new lineup and faced the challenges of rebuilding without some of their key players.

References

1.  Steve Nash Named 2004–05 NBA MVP, National Basketball Association, 8 May 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
2. At a Glance, National Basketball Association/playoffs2005. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
3. Faye, Brad and Greene, Josh, "Another SUN-believable Season", National Basketball Association/suns. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
4. ^ "Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks Box Score, January 2, 2006". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
5. ^ 2006 NBA Western Conference All-Stars, National Basketball Association. Retrieved 29 December 2007.
6. ^ "Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, April 19, 2006". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
7. ^ Suns’ Steve Nash Wins Second Consecutive MVP Award, National Basketball Association, 7 May 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
8. a b c Bryant, Nowitzki, Duncan also part of All-NBA team, ESPN, 14 May 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
9. ^ "Dirk Nowitzki Wins 2006–07 MVP Award", National Basketball Association. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
10. ^ At a Glance 2007, National Basketball Association. Retrieved 29 December 2007.
11. ^ Two Hometown Hornets Named as Reserves for 2008 NBA All-Star Game Archived 21 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine, National Basketball Association, 31 January 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
12. a b Spurs KO Rattled Suns to Close Out Series, National Basketball Association, 30 April 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
13. ^ MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team, National Basketball Association, 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
14. ^ Stein, Marc, Suns get high-scoring Richardson, ESPN, 12 December 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
15. ^ 2008–09 NBA Season Summary Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 19 April 2009.