“I would say this about Tyrese — I think he’s one of the greatest simple early-passers I’ve ever seen. Sometimes you have great vision like Tyrese and you want to hold it to make that killer pass. You think, ‘I can get something better,’ and you might hold it for a second. But sometimes he just gets rid of it. And what that does — it makes defenses unsettled,” Steve Nash said, via Mind the Game podcast.

Tyrese delivered a strong performance throughout the regular season, posting averages of 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. However, it was during the postseason that his prowess truly shined. Facing off against the New York Knicks in the Conference Finals, he elevated his game significantly, boosting his assist average to 10.5 and his scoring to 21 points per game.

Not only did Steve Nash but also Kevin Durant praised Tyrese for his impressive performance with the Indiana Pacers. In an interview on Mind the Game podcast, he stated, “What I love about Indy (Indiana Pacers) too, and what I think is an underrated factor, like Tyrese kicks the ball ahead, He doesn’t dribble across halfcourt every time … The center hand him the ball, he kicking it ahead no matter who it is.”

Tyrese Haliburton’s injury expected to reshape Indiana Pacers’ plans for 2025–26 season

In the wake of a devastating injury sustained during the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton is confirmed to miss the entire 2025-26 season. As a result, the franchise is adapting its strategy with Andrew Nembhard stepping into the role of lead point guard. While he may not possess Haliburton’s creative flair, his decision-making prowess and defensive capabilities position him as a crucial asset to the team.

Meanwhile, the onus falls on Pascal Siakam to steer the team forward, much like he did during the postseason. His scoring ability will be instrumental in helping the Indiana Pacers maintain their competitive edge. Nevertheless, the challenge remains in compensating for the seamless offensive transitions that Haliburton provided, which were pivotal in their journey to the NBA Finals.

Across generations, the point guard has remained a cornerstone of NBA success. Often the primary playmaker, the position demands a unique blend of traits to truly dominate. According to Nash, no single player possesses every quality. Instead, the ideal point guard would combine elements from multiple stars—past and present—to reach perfection.

In a recent appearance on the Mind The Game podcast, Nash was asked to assemble the perfect point guard by selecting players based on specific attributes: handles, shooting, finishing, defense, passing vision, and clutch performance. “Am I allowed to say myself? I think I’m in the conversation,” Nash said, before breaking down his all-time composite.

“I’d say Kyrie [Irving]—he’s the best ball-handler of all time. If Steph Curry counts as a point guard, he’s the greatest shooter ever, period. For finishing, I’d take Kyrie again—and maybe his uncle, Rod Strickland. On defense, I’m giving it to two guys from my era: Gary Payton and Jason Kidd. As for passing, Magic Johnson inspired me the most.”

Nash hesitated when asked about the most clutch point guard of all time. “A lot of clutch PGs out there,” he said. “Hopefully people think I was clutch too. Tyrese Haliburton has been really clutch in these Playoffs.” After some thought, he made his final selection: “I don’t know if I have to pick one… but Magic Johnson. I think about him hitting that skyhook in Boston to win the Finals. Incredible clutch player.”

Notable omissions from Nash’s picks

While Nash’s selections were largely well-received—especially for handles and shooting—some notable omissions raised eyebrows. For passing vision, he didn’t mention Chris Paul or John Stockton, the league’s all-time assist leaders. Their court awareness and consistency helped define how the position is played.

In terms of finishing, Nash also left out dynamic athletes like Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. Both were known for their explosive drives and fearlessness at the rim. Westbrook, in particular, brought a level of intensity and verticality that redefined the role of the scoring point guard.

Another absence was Isiah Thomas, the floor general who led the Detroit Pistons through the grueling Eastern Conference battles of the late ’80s. Thomas not only won two NBA titles but also took down some of the game’s greatest names on the way—earning a place in any serious point guard conversation.

Lastly, Nash’s inclusion of Tyrese Haliburton, while relevant to the 2025 Playoffs, may be a bit premature. The Pacers star has delivered in big moments, but naming him among legends could be seen as optimistic. Still, Nash’s perspective offers a unique look at how one of the game’s smartest minds evaluates greatness—not by accolades, but by skill.

“The reality is that they had a more complete roster at this stage of the story,” said Nash in reference to Minnesota, during the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast. “So, for you guys to win, you have to play above your level always. Right, you have to make shots at a high clip, you have to take care of the basketball, but it just didn’t happen.”

The two-time NBA MVP went deeper into his breakdown of the series between the Lakers and the Timberwolves. “From my perspective, two things I think that they had that you guys are looking for. One is an identity. They formed one this year, you guys are just trying to figure yours out,” emphasized Steve. “I think the other part of this was just speed. They have foot speed to defend, to attack.”

Nash believed that the arrival of Doncic wasn’t enough to turn the Lakers into title contenders. “You guys are a developing roster. You traded for a big generational piece, but that doesn’t mean that the roster is balanced, fully formed,” he said. “And you don’t have time, once getting Luka, to make moves necessarily that are gonna allow you to kind of fulfill that roster.”

Comparing that scenario to the Timberwolves, Steve pointed to a stark contrast. “Minnesota could trade pieces out, but essentially they’re a balanced roster. You could say, ‘I’d rather this guy over this guy,’ but they’ve got the positions covered,” explained the former guard of the Phoenix Suns.

LeBron’s take on the series vs Timberwolves

In the same conversation, LeBron James listened carefully to Steve Nash’s comments and agreed with the analysis. “That’s what we talked about, you’re right Steve, we just talked about that, the possession game,” the 40-year-old forward said. “We lost the possession game in the series, and the possession game came down to offensive rebounds, turnovers, and loose balls.”

Immediately, James acknowledged Minnesota’s superiority over the Lakers. “They were a more complete team than we were,” he said. “They have all the makeups. They have shooting, they have toughness, they have size, they have foot speed, they have playmaking, defensive versatility… I could see them for sure getting into the Western Conference Finals, if not the (NBA) Finals.”

LeBron talks about his knee injury

The first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t the only bad news for LeBron James. During Game 5, he collided with Donte DiVincenzo, resulting in a Grade 2 MCL sprain that will require a significant recovery period.

In the latest episode of Mind The Game, LeBron delivered a disappointing update. “In my 22-year career, this is my first knee injury... This is the first time I’ve ever had like a sustained knee injury where I had to like, ‘OK, you got to get off your feet,’” he admitted.

“I knew as soon as the impact happened with me and DiVincenzo… I felt it right away. My knee locked up and that’s why I stayed on the ground for quite a minute,” James recalled. “I knew right then and there it was a pain that I hadn’t felt before.”

Nash, a back-to-back MVP winner in 2005 and 2006, recently shared his admiration for Jokić’s game, suggesting that the Serbian center could one day be considered among the greatest players in league history if he continues at this pace.

“What did he average, a triple-double this year? Super high efficiency, team was hurt a lot. When your team is injured — Jamal Murray doesn’t play a lot, guys are in and out of the lineup, they maybe didn’t have the depth they had their championship year — you can load up on him a lot more. He still was crazy efficient and dominant. That to me is — if this guy does this for another five years, we’re talking like he’s on Mount Rushmore,” Nash said on The Old Man & The Three podcast.

While Nash excelled at the point guard position and Jokić plays center, both share a rare mastery of offensive orchestration. Jokić finished the season with one of the highest offensive ratings in the league, combining elite scoring, rebounding, and playmaking in a way few players, regardless of position, have achieved.

How Nikola Jokic continues to redefine greatness

Jokić has transformed the traditional role of an NBA center. Historically, big men have dominated through size, strength, and post scoring. Jokić, however, has revolutionized the position with his extraordinary vision, passing creativity, and ability to run the offense like a point guard. His role as a “point center” often sees him initiating plays from the top of the key or even the perimeter, a style rarely seen from players his size.

His unique approach draws frequent comparisons to some of the game’s elite playmakers. Despite the differences in size and role, both Nash and Jokić share an intuitive feel for the game, manipulating defenses with precision and a high basketball IQ.

Jokić’s remarkable blend of scoring, rebounding, and passing—combined with his historic efficiency—has solidified his status as one of the most transformative players in the modern NBA. As Nash noted, if Jokić maintains this level of excellence over the next several years, he will have more than earned his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

In the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron praised his co-host Steve Nash for the impact his playing style had in transforming the league—along with former Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni. “I don’t think that you—and I don’t think Mike—get enough credit for revolutionizing the game to where it is today,” James said.

Nash played for the Suns during his early NBA years, from 1996 to 1998, and returned for a much more impactful run between 2004 and 2012. It was during that second stint that he teamed up with D’Antoni through 2008. Those were Nash’s peak seasons, when the former point guard won back-to-back league MVP awards in 2005 and 2006.

“They always talk about players. They talk about how transcendent a player can be: Magic (Johnson), (Larry) Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe (Bryant), Michael (Jordan), Steph Curry,” LeBron said. “You guys were before his time. The true essence of before his time,” he added. “First of all, your style of play, how you and D’Antoni mirrored so easily to transcend the game—that is the game today.”

LeBron gives Nash his flowers

In the same conversation, James emphasized how Steve Nash’s elite shooting numbers helped set the standard for NBA players in the early 2000s. “It wasn’t really talked about much about guys doing the 50-40-90 thing,” the forward recalled. “I think Reggie (Miller) did it once maybe in the 90s, I think (Larry) Bird did it. I’m not quite sure if Ray (Allen) had done it yet.”

And Bron continued: “It became a thing when you were doing it, because it was like, ‘Oh, (expletive), every year.’ Once you got into your pocket, it was like 50 from the field, 40 from the three, 90 from the free throw line. And everybody was trying to figure out how they could attain that. Everybody was trying to do that now.”

That Phoenix team helped change the NBA

LeBron James also acknowledged how modern team strategies were influenced in part by those Suns squads. “Not only 50-40-90, but everyone is now playing four out, one in. Or five out. And trying to figure out how to create space,” he said. “In 2004, 2005, when you were in Phoenix: San Antonio, two bigs. Detroit, two bigs, Miami played with two bigs, Sacramento two bigs. Everybody were playing two bigs.”

Nash looked back on those years and shared some of the challenges they faced. “We were small, there were rim protectors, you got Timmy (Duncan), you got Shaq (O’Neal). We didn’t have that,” he said. “So, how can we cope defensively not being a rim protection team… and on the offense side, how can we blow teams away?”

And he finished by explaining how the league’s shifting rules played into their success. “The league wanted to make it more free flowing open, highlight the athleticism… You couldn’t have two hands on a guy anymore,” Steve said. “I think it was right at the right time, because the rules were changing too.”

“When I came into the league, it was the two bigs. One guy would handle the ball, then you had your two wings,” James said. “Probably up until about 2008 or 2009, you started to see more players handling the ball, but you still had the same two-bigs setup.”

“Then you [Nash] went to Phoenix and changed the whole thing. Two bigs? No. One big. I need one rim roller or one guy that can sprint down the floor and beat everybody. If you’re down there, we kick it ahead to you. If not, you come set the drag screen and we’re going to spread the game out.”

LeBron went on to explain how those ideas later shaped his Miami Heat squads, with Chris Bosh playing center in small-ball lineups — a look that has become a staple in today’s NBA. “We adapted that in Miami when Bosh became the five. We see what the game is now. It’s almost five-out — everyone’s shooting threes,” James added. “In every offseason, I’ve wanted to be adaptable and keep a growth mindset so I could evolve with the game. That way, I could always stay productive, no matter what the game calls for.”

The pick-and-roll blueprint

At the core of Phoenix’s offensive revolution was the electric pick-and-roll duo of Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire. Their timing, precision, and athleticism were nearly unmatched — turning a foundational basketball play into a nightly spectacle. What made it groundbreaking wasn’t the play itself, but the speed, frequency, and fluidity with which it was executed.

Rather than rely on halfcourt sets to slowly unfold, Phoenix deployed drag screens in early transition, catching defenses flat-footed. With Nash orchestrating from the top, the Suns led the league in both pace and offensive rating, fully embracing Mike D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” philosophy.

The birth of modern small-ball

More than just tempo and pick-and-rolls, the Suns reimagined how lineups should look — long before “positionless basketball” became mainstream. Phoenix regularly trotted out units with just one true big, allowing forwards like Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw to play multiple positions and stretch the floor. Amar’e Stoudemire often operated as the sole interior presence, flanked by wings and guards who could shoot, pass, and run the floor.

This early version of “small-ball” wasn’t just about going smaller — it was about being more dynamic. It demanded that big men guard in space, that wings act as playmakers, and that everyone on the court be a threat from beyond the arc. In many ways, the Suns laid the foundation for the modern NBA long before the Warriors began rewriting the record books.

“LeBron James needs to stop,” Perkins began on ESPN. “I’m so sick of him with this ‘Oh, how the league is covered’ because he wanted to be covered a certain way… Everything that comes out of LeBron James’ mouth ain’t the (expletive) gospel.”

The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics acknowledged: “I’m a big LeBron fan since 1998.” However, that didn’t stop him from delivering a sharp critique of the Lakers star. “We’re in 2025, it’s a different era. (Expletive), you have to adjust,” Kendrick remarked.

“Here’s the thing, the coverage of the NBA, in my opinion, has been the same since I’ve arrived in the NBA, since I grew up as a youngster watching the NBA,” the former center explained. “Magic Johnson, was he not criticized? Kobe Bryant, was he not criticized? Michael Jordan, was he not criticized? Allen Iverson, he was criticized. In today’s game, these players are so sensitive, it just don’t make any damn sense.”

Perkins on Nash’s selection as LeBron’s co-host

Kendrick Perkins weighed in on the decision to choose Steve Nash as the new co-host of James’ Mind The Game. “The one thing I will say, sharing the locker room with LeBron James, being LeBron James’ teammate, he’s one of the brightest basketball minds I’ve ever been around,” Perkins began, reflecting on his time as a teammate of James with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“OK, you lose JJ Redick, and you go out and get Steve Nash. I would never question Steve Nash’s IQ or his intelligence when it comes down to the game of basketball,” Perkins clarified, before questioning the decision and naming other former players who, in his opinion, could have taken the role.

“But Richard Jefferson just got hired on our A-Team to cover the NBA Finals, he’s smart as hell. Channing Frye, who won the championship with LeBron James, who does NBA TV, he is intelligent as hell. Phil Handy, who LeBron won two championships with, who’s now doing his own thing, he’s intelligent as hell. Hell, Draymond Green, no one could ever question his basketball mind or his basketball IQ, he’s smart as hell,” Perkins said. “So, what I’m getting at is, why none of those guys, LeBron? These are your guys, why none of those guys on Mind The Game? And I’ll leave it at that.”

Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Nash built an 18-season NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 2015 due to lingering back issues. In 2018, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. After a three-year stint coaching the Brooklyn Nets, Nash expanded his interests into other sports, including soccer, as both a fan and an investor.

Nash, a lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter, purchased shares in Spanish soccer club Real Mallorca, influenced by the ownership group of the Phoenix Suns. In an interview with Flashscore, Nash revealed that his decision stemmed from the relatively high cost of Premier League clubs compared to other European teams.

His love for soccer extends to Major League Soccer (MLS), where he is a part-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Nash is an avid supporter of MLS’s growth and sees Lionel Messi’s arrival as a transformative moment for the league.

“Messi is incredible,” Nash told Flashscore. “For me, he’s the best player in history. He continues scoring a million goals and delivering highlight moments, and he’s brought unbelievable attention to MLS. It’s a privilege for the league to have the greatest player of all time playing here and still scoring goals, especially right after winning a World Cup”.

The Messi vs. Maradona debate

While acknowledging Diego Maradona’s legendary status, Nash believes Messi stands alone as the greatest soccer player of all time. Speaking to Bleacher Report, Nash explained his reasoning.

“I know for many, Maradona is the greatest, and I can’t argue with that,” Nash admitted. “But for me, the players Messi faces are vastly different from those of 30 years ago“.

“What Messi does, and the consistency with which he does it, is impossible,” Nash added. “He’s the only one who can take the ball from his own penalty area and score on the other end. In today’s game, players don’t smoke or drink like they used to. The defenders marking him are machines, and yet he still does whatever he wants, whenever he wants“.

When asked who he believes deserves to be named MVP for his performance thus far in the 2024-25 regular season, Steve Nash, the legendary Phoenix Suns point guard, did not hesitate: “I would say Shai,” he shared in a recent interview with Flashscore.

“You know, total respect to Curry. I know I’m going to forget someone, but Jalen Brunson’s been amazing. There’s so many terrific guards out there,” Nash later added, making it clear that his choice was difficult due to the sheer talent present in the league. “But Shai right now for me is, I think he’s the MVP this year.”

Delving deeper into the merits that make the Thunder guard worthy of such recognition, Steve elaborated: “I think he’s just an incredible leader for his team. Great high character, 30 points a game, high efficiency, impossible in isolation to defend. So I would say Shai.”

Shai’s numbers this season

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 50-11 record this season can be attributed, in part, to the outstanding performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian guard has played in 60 of the team’s 61 games this season and is putting up some of the best numbers of his career.

Shai is having his best season in the NBA in terms of points per game, averaging an impressive 32.6, which ranks him first in the league this year, ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.8) and Nikola Jokic (28.9). In addition, Gilgeous-Alexander is recording 6.2 assists (matching his career high), 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals.

Nash knows what he’s talking about

With nearly 20 years of experience in the NBA, Steve Nash is more than qualified to offer an insightful opinion on the league’s best players. What makes his perspective especially valuable is his own distinction as a two-time NBA MVP.

In 2005 and 2006, Nash earned MVP honors due to his impressive performances with the Phoenix Suns, the franchise he spent most of his career with in the NBA. He also made history as the first non-American player to win the MVP award, paving the way for future international stars.

The first NBA MVP was Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks in 1956. For the next 49 years, all MVP winners were either from the United States or naturalized Americans, such as Hakeem Olajuwon, until Steve Nash, born in South Africa but raised in Canada, broke the mold. Following Nash, other international players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic continued the trend.

“I think in some ways he’s underappreciated,” Nash said during a recent interview with Flashscore. “You know, his impact on the game, the way he was able to be an MVP and a champion in a new way, shooting impossible shots at a high percentage, the way he impacts defenses even when he doesn’t have the ball, like, it’s remarkable.”

Steve Nash went on to highlight that Curry’s achievements are even more impressive considering he competes against players who possess more typical NBA traits. “At the same time, you know, he’s not physically imposing like some of the other great players. He’s not 6’9”, like Magic Johnson or Larry Bird,” the Suns legend explained.

“He’s not a 7’0” dominant center like some we’ve had. And he’s not an elite, explosive athlete like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant,” Nash remarked. “So it’s hard to say where he stacks up, but I will say that his impact is way, way up there with almost anyone who’s ever played the game. I think his maximizing of his talent is just incredible.”

Nash was an inspiration to many current guards

In the same interview, Nash was asked about the influence he had on guards who came after him, with some of them expressing their admiration for his career. “That’s incredible. I admire these guys a lot,” he said.

“So to hear them, whether it’s Curry, Jalen Brunson, or Trae Young, say that they idolized you growing up is an incredible compliment, right?” Steve continued, before reflecting on his own experiences as a young player.

“I remember what it felt like for me to idolize Isaiah Thomas, Tim Hardaway, or whoever, you know, I was looking up to, and how special it was to have someone who inspired you every day,” the Suns legend explained. “And so for someone to say that about you, it means a tremendous amount. I mean, I love watching those guys play, and they all are just special, special players.”

Curry’s NBA legacy

Four NBA championships with the Warriors, two league MVP awards, one Finals MVP, two scoring titles, and eleven All-Star selections are just a few of the honors Stephen Curry has accumulated during his 16-season NBA career. Additionally, he currently holds the record for the most three-pointers made in league history, with a substantial lead over the next closest player, James Harden.

These accomplishments have cemented Curry’s status as one of the most outstanding players of his generation and of the 21st century. However, he is still rarely mentioned in discussions about the greatest players of all time. Icons like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson tend to dominate such debates, with Curry often relegated to a secondary spot alongside other basketball icons.

What stood out most about the trade was how secretive the negotiations were. Only a select few knew it was happening before Shams Charania’s announcement stunned the NBA world. Nash praised the Lakers’ front office for their ability to keep the deal under wraps.

In an interview with Flashscore, Nash commended the Lakers’ ability to maintain discretion. “I think everybody was shocked. They clearly did an incredible job, especially in today’s age of keeping it quiet,” Nash said.

He also highlighted how the trade will reshape the NBA for years to come. “It definitely changes the landscape of the NBA and the Western Conference,” Nash continued. “And, you know, even the next 10 years, having one of the best players in the game go to the Lakers”.

Nash on the Lakers’ playoff chances with Doncic

Despite Luka Doncic’s immediate impact on the Lakers, including leading them to five consecutive wins, Nash believes the trade doesn’t automatically make them playoff favorites.

The former Lakers player acknowledged that Doncic gives the team a solid chance but emphasized there’s still work to do. “I think they have a chance,” Nash noted. “They’ve opened the door to be a contender, but there’s so much they have to sort out”.

Nash on Doncic and LeBron’s partnership

According to Nash, the Lakers’ superstar duo still has work to do in terms of building chemistry. He noted the similarities in their playing styles, which could take time to harmonize.

“You know, they’re just starting to play together. You have two players that are actually quite similar,” Nash explained. “They kind of are point forwards. So trying to make all those pieces fit, trying to get their defense solid”.

The former Suns star believes it’s too soon to label the Lakers as championship contenders, but he’s optimistic about their potential if Doncic and LeBron can gel on the court.

“(I am) very interested to see, and I think they definitely could play themselves into contention, but I think it’s really early to say that when we haven’t seen it at least for a few weeks to see maybe some light, some understanding, some connectivity. But there’s a chance,” Nash concluded.