The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/indiana-pacers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana Pacers</a> surprised NBA fans by advancing to the Finals, where they took on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although they did not clinch the title, their strong bench depth impressed audiences throughout the series. Additionally, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tyrese-haliburton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyrese Haliburton</a> emerged as a standout offensive leader, significantly raising his game. After his standout performances, a Hall of Famer evaluated his passing skills, making a bold statement on the matter.



“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,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Nash</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250719_BUS_444154_GettyImages-2213423970-1-1024x576_a52adb18.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Haliburton-bucket" class="wp-image-391337" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/05122757/GettyImages-2213423970-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers shoots over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Tyrese Haliburton’s injury expected to reshape Indiana Pacers’ plans for 2025–26 season</h2>



In the wake of a devastating injury sustained during the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> 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.


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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.

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miniaturas

Steve Nash is widely regarded as one of the most influential point guards in NBA history. A two-time league MVP and an iconic figure for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix Suns</a>, Nash helped redefine the position with his elite vision, control, and shooting. Now retired, the Suns legend recently took part in an engaging discussion about what it would take to build the perfect point guard—pulling from the skill sets of several NBA icons, including Stephen Curry.



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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Steph Curry</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="390547" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250619_BUS_422134_GettyImages-2213138865-1_a023b4bd.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Stephen Curry looks disappointed" class="wp-image-390547" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1.jpg 1920w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/03181257/GettyImages-2213138865-1-250x140.jpg 250w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors standout.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



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.”


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<h2>Notable omissions from Nash’s picks</h2>



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, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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.

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More than a week has passed since the Game 5 loss in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended the Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason run. However, Steve Nash offered a harsh assessment of the performance delivered by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> and his teammates throughout the series.



“The reality is that they had a more complete roster at this stage of the story,” said <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="562" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250508_BUS_394092_lebron-james-4-1024x562_2ceff316.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=562" alt="LeBron James" class="wp-image-393786" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/08135942/lebron-james-4-1024x562.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/08135942/lebron-james-4-300x165.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/08135942/lebron-james-4-768x422.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/08135942/lebron-james-4-1536x843.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/08135942/lebron-james-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James must make a decision about continuing to play in the NBA.</figcaption></figure>



Comparing that scenario to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/minnesota-timberwolves">Timberwolves</a>, 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.


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<h2>LeBron’s take on the series vs Timberwolves</h2>



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 (<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a>) Finals.”



<h2>LeBron talks about his knee injury</h2>



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, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/lebron-james-delivers-disappointing-injury-update-after-lakers-playoff-setback">LeBron delivered a disappointing update</a>. “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.”


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The Denver Nuggets may not have enjoyed their best regular season, but Nikola Jokić’s incredible performance did not go unnoticed. The two-time MVP candidate once again put together a historic campaign, positioning himself among the favorites for the award and showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen in NBA history. His brilliance even caught the attention of Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash.



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 &amp; 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.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="559" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250427_BUS_386251_nikola-jokic-1-1024x559_b09d57d5.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=559" alt="Nikola Jokic the Denver Nuggets&apos; biggest star." class="wp-image-375312" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/12145431/nikola-jokic-1-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/12145431/nikola-jokic-1-300x164.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/12145431/nikola-jokic-1-768x419.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/12145431/nikola-jokic-1-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/12145431/nikola-jokic-1.jpg 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nikola Jokic is the Denver Nuggets’ biggest star.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>How Nikola Jokic continues to redefine greatness</h2>



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.


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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.

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LeBron James is gearing up for another run with the Los Angeles Lakers as he looks ahead to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/2025-nba-playoffs-picture-bracket-key-dates-and-schedule">NBA playoffs picture</a>. In the meantime, he reflected on figures who helped shape the modern game—and highlighted two names he believes haven’t received the credit they deserve.



In the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron</a> 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.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250415_BUS_377473_Steve-Nash-1-1024x576_20063f0f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-336679" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 27, 2012. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>LeBron gives Nash his flowers</h2>



In the same conversation, James emphasized how Steve Nash’s elite shooting numbers helped set the standard for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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.”


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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.”



<h2>That Phoenix team helped change the NBA</h2>



LeBron James also acknowledged how modern team strategies were influenced in part by those <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Suns</a> 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.”


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The NBA has undergone a seismic stylistic shift over the past two decades. While critics often point to the Golden State Warriors dynasty as the moment the game truly changed — with its barrage of threes and pace-and-space dominance — <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> superstar LeBron James believes the transformation began much earlier. In a preview of the second episode of his Mind the Game podcast, James credits Steve Nash and the mid-2000s Phoenix Suns with planting the seeds of today’s modern game.



“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.”



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250408_BUS_372960_Steve-Nash-1-1024x576_4043200c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-336679" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 27, 2012. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>The pick-and-roll blueprint</h2>



At the core of Phoenix’s offensive revolution was the electric pick-and-roll duo of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Steve Nash</a> 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.


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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.



<h2>The birth of modern small-ball</h2>



More than just tempo and pick-and-rolls, the Suns reimagined how lineups should look — long before “positionless basketball” became mainstream. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> long before the Warriors began rewriting the record books.

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> started his podcast Mind The Game with JJ Redick as his co-host. However, that partnership ended when Redick became the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, Bron will continue the podcast with another former NBA player: Steve Nash. Unexpectedly, this confirmation triggered a strong response from Kendrick Perkins.



“LeBron James needs to stop,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kendrick-perkins">Perkins</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="559" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250327_BUS_365367_kendrick-perkins-1024x559_ff3f1212.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=559" alt="kendrick-perkins" class="wp-image-348523" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04150911/kendrick-perkins-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04150911/kendrick-perkins-300x164.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04150911/kendrick-perkins-768x419.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04150911/kendrick-perkins-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04150911/kendrick-perkins.jpg 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kendrick Perkins attends the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend at Wolstein Center on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Perkins on Nash’s selection as LeBron’s co-host</h2>



Kendrick Perkins weighed in on the decision to choose <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Steve Nash</a> 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.


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“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.”


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Despite never winning an NBA championship, Steve Nash left an indelible mark on basketball in the 2000s. The two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star, and three-time All-NBA First Team selection was one of the most influential players of his era. Off the court, Nash’s passion for soccer has always been evident, and he recently weighed in on why <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> is the greatest player of all time.



Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250306_BUS_349453_steve-nash-1024x576_53f13795.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-349460" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/05193130/steve-nash.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Steve Nash stands on the sideline before the Tottenham Hotspur play Liverpool during a pre-season tour friendly match at M&amp;T Bank Stadium. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



“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”.


 

 

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<h2>The Messi vs. Maradona debate</h2>



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“.

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/shai-gilgeous-alexander">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> is clearly having the best season of his NBA career. He has been the main reason why the Oklahoma City Thunder have dominated the Western Conference this year and, should they maintain this level of play, the team is shaping up to be serious contenders in the playoffs. Recently, a two-time NBA MVP showered praise on the Canadian guard.



When asked who he believes deserves to be named MVP for his performance thus far in the 2024-25 regular season, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Steve Nash</a>, 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/oklahoma-city-thunder">Thunder</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250305_BUS_349423_Steve-Nash-1-1024x576_4df079bd.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-336679" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/14201305/Steve-Nash-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 27, 2012. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Shai’s numbers this season</h2>



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.


 

 

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Shai is having his best season in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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.



<h2>Nash knows what he’s talking about</h2>



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.

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The Golden State Warriors have experienced the most successful stretch in their history over the past decade, with a significant part of that success attributed to the immense impact <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> has had on the league. His performances have solidified his place among the most remarkable players in NBA history. Yet, despite his accomplishments, the guard is frequently left out of all-time great debates, a point Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash recently addressed.



“I think in some ways he’s underappreciated,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250305_BUS_348747_Nash-1024x576_39a44c17.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-348751" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04200257/Nash.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Former Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Nash was an inspiration to many current guards</h2>



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.


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“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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Suns</a> 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.”



<h2>Curry’s NBA legacy</h2>



Four NBA championships with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Warriors</a>, 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.

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When a trade in the NBA is as monumental as the one between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, it remains a hot topic long after the dust settles. Over a month has passed since <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Luka Doncic</a> and Anthony Davis switched teams, yet the basketball world continues to discuss its implications. This time, it’s Phoenix Suns icon Steve Nash who shared his thoughts on the deal.



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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a>’ front office for their ability to keep the deal under wraps.



In an interview with Flashscore, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Nash</a> 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 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> 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”.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250304_BUS_348713_luka-doncic-20-1024x576_e40e0c34.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-348715" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/04184147/luka-doncic-20.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Nash on the Lakers’ playoff chances with Doncic</h2>



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.


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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”.



<h2>Nash on Doncic and LeBron’s partnership</h2>



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.

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Suns icon Steve Nash makes something clear to the Lakers about the Luka Doncic trade - Bolavip US

The Phoenix Suns selected <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-nash">Steve Nash</a> with the 15th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, a decision that proved to be wise. The Canadian point guard enjoyed an illustrious career, earning two MVP awards and solidifying his place in basketball history. Years after his retirement, he weighed in on the ongoing GOAT debate, making his opinion clear.



“MJ is my guy for sure, always,” Nash said about <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a> in an interview with All The Smoke in 2020. “For me, he’s the greatest player to ever play the game. He was my hero as a kid. I got a chance to play against him. He just had this charisma on top of all the gifts and skills, and mentally, you know how great he is.”



Steve elaborated on the unique qualities that made the Chicago Bulls legend stand out. “He was unlike any other player I’ve ever played against. There was real fear playing against him,” Nash explained. “I’ve never seen the league be kind of fearful of a player or have that much reverence for a player. No matter who’s come since then.”



Reflecting on the intensity of playing against Jordan, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Suns</a> legend added: “That was a different feeling playing Mike because you knew there was such seriousness and competitiveness and fire in him, and there was a fear of how that was going to manifest itself, potentially on any given night.” He continued: “I mean, where do you want to start and where do you want to finish with him? He was everything.“



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250215_BUS_336678_michael-jordan-7-1024x576_f34758de.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-316656" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/18192938/michael-jordan-7.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Nash remembers his early battles with Jordan</h2>



Having entered the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> in 1996, Steve Nash was a contemporary of Michael Jordan’s golden era with Chicago. “First month of my rookie season we played the Bulls twice, home and away,” he recalled in a chat with Ernie Johnson on NBA Together in 2020. “I’m on the bus after the game and Chucky Brown gets on the bus with Jordan’s shoes, and I’m like, ‘Are those MJ’s shoes? How did you get those?’ And he’s like, ‘I asked him for them,’ and I was thinking to myself, ‘Can we do that?’”


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Nash continued his story, saying: “Two weeks later, they come to Phoenix and we play. I got switched onto him, he backed me down into the post. He did his little shake and hit a fadeaway on me.” The former point guard then added: “He comes over to me and he says, ‘You were at a slight disadvantage.‘ As a rookie, I was like, ‘MJ just scored on me and is letting me have it in a fun way. This is unbelievable.’”



Finally, Nash shared a memorable moment from that game. “I turn and I laugh and I go, ‘Can I have your shoes after the game?’ Of course, sure enough, after the game, I got his shoes and all of that,” he explained. “As a guy who I hope proved was a fierce competitor my whole career, it takes you back to what kind of mindset I was in as a rookie with Michael Jordan and how that was all secondary to this hero I’m worshipping away. But at the same time, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”



<h2>Michael Jordan also praised Steve Nash</h2>



While Steve Nash was launching his NBA career and idolizing the Chicago Bulls superstar, Jordan himself had taken notice of Nash’s rising talent. “When I look at the future of the Phoenix Suns, I look at Michael Finley and Steve…What’s the name of the little kid?” MJ said in a 1998 interview with SLAM Magazine, revealing that Nash had caught his attention, even if he couldn’t quite remember his name.



<h2>Nash on LeBron and Kobe in the GOAT debate</h2>



In his interview with All The Smoke, Nash not only said that Michael Jordan was his GOAT, but he also acknowledged two other players who could be part of that conversation as well. “I think you probably heard me saying: Jordan, LeBron, Kobe on the total picture,” Steve explained. “But, I mean, how do you go wrong? At their best, all three of them played the game at a level higher than anyone else.”



Regarding James, Nash commented: “I totally understand why people put LeBron where he is: either first or second on many people’s eyes. When you look at the whole picture of everything LeBron has done over the course of his career, it’s hard to argue with.” He also praised Bryant, saying: “I think at his best Kobe was right there with any of them. When he was flying and playing at his best, he was as good as we’ve ever seen.”



<h2>Steve Nash’s legacy in NBA</h2>



Steve Nash’s legacy in the NBA is undeniable. He spent nearly 20 years as one of the league’s top stars, beginning his career with the Phoenix Suns in 1996. After a surprising trade to the Dallas Mavericks, Nash returned to the Suns in 2004 and solidified his place as one of the most accomplished point guards in history.



In 2005 and 2006, Steve was named NBA MVP in recognition of his exceptional performances with the Suns. The team later retired his No. 13 jersey following his retirement. Nash’s final years in the NBA were spent with the Los Angeles Lakers, from 2012 to 2015. The point guard was an 8-time All-Star, 5-time NBA assists leader, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and included in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

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Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash picks the greatest NBA player of all time - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Steph Curry</a> knows perfectly what it is to win an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA </a>championship. He has won four rings, and all of them playing for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a>. He is a humble man who recognizes other great players who could never win a ring like him.



Life seems unfair to some top players like Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Steve Nash, who could never win a championship ring despite playing with a top-notch roster in their era.



On the other hand, Steph Curry has a large collection of championship rings that he started in 2015. This collection also includes back-to-back NBA Finals wins in 2017 and 2018. Curry and the Warriors are likely to win one more title before retiring.



<h2>Which players would Steph Curry give a ring to if he could?</h2>



During a recent episode of Big Boys TV, Steph Curry was talking from his home about a few things when the host asked him which players he would give one of his four rings to if he could. Curry replied, “Steve Nash and Reggie Miller.”



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The last time Curry reached the NBA Finals was in 2022. The Warriors won the championship that year, but they were unable to defend their title in 2023.

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NBA: Steph Curry names players he would share his rings with

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-nets-and-head-coach-steve-nash-agree-to-part-ways-possible-replacements-20221101-0014.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> are in the middle of crisis, not only because they have lost five of their last six games in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-patrick-beverley-makes-bold-comment-about-russell-westbrooks-new-role-in-the-lakers-20221102-0001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022-23 NBA regular season</a>, but because now they have to find another head coach as Steve Nash was fired on November 1. In fact, one of the last people to make his comments about the news was <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-kevin-durant-drops-truth-bomb-about-the-brooklyn-nets-locker-room-20221030-0053.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Durant.</a>
Days ago the tough loss to the Indiana Pacers, the two-time NBA Champion mentioned how tough was for them to keep losing games. In fact, he emphasized that something was happening inside the Nets’ locker room that kept them from winning games. Of course, after the offseason beef with Steve Nash, the speculation about another fight between the star and the coach heated up.
However, now as Steve Nash has been fired from the Brooklyn Nets, the rumors have started to point out to Ime Udoka as the possible replacement for him. In the mean time, Kevin Durant reacted for the first time in public, to the firing of his former coach.
<h2>Kevin Durant reveals why Steve Nash didn’t work as a coach for the Brooklyn Nets</h2>
Hours before the 8th game of the season for the Brooklyn Nets, many reports including Sham Charania’s from the Athletic mentioned that Steve Nash was getting fired as the Nets’ head coach. Not long after the rumors started spreading about a possible substitute, Ime Udoka. However, it wasn’t until another tough loss to the Chicago Bulls that Kevin Durant reacted to the news in front of the media.
The two-time NBA Champion was asked the reason for the unsuccesful Steve Nash’s era in Brooklyn Nets as a head coach. “We didn’thave a healthy team, just didn’t play well. That’s what happens in the league. That doesn’t take away from Steve’s basketball IQ, how he teaches the game. I don’t think that takes away from anything. It’s just it didn’t work out.
Steve Nash was fired after 7 games in the2022-23 NBA regular season where the Brooklyn Nets were placed at 13th at the Eastern Conference standings with a lossing record of 2 wins, and 5 losses. Despite both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had multiple 30+ points game through the start of the season, the Nets couldn’t close out wins easily.
 
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NBA News: Kevin Durant reveals why Steve Nash didn't work as a coach for the Brooklyn Nets

NBA News: Kevin Durant reveals why Steve Nash didn't work as a coach for the Brooklyn Nets - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-kyrie-irving-throws-ben-simmons-under-the-bus-20221020-0004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nets </a>are moving on from Steve Nash. After a rough <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-kevin-durant-drops-truth-bomb-about-the-brooklyn-nets-locker-room-20221030-0053.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA season </a>start, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/ben-simmons-is-literally-scared-of-shooting-free-throws-claims-analyst-20221028-0012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooklyn </a>and the Head Coach agreed to part ways, but there are tons of doubts regarding who will come as his replacement.
In his third season with Brooklyn, Steve Nash will look for another team to coach. He started with a 2-5 record, but it seems like the results are not the real reason why the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-legend-isiah-thomas-makes-bold-statement-about-kevin-durant-20221027-0055.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nets </a>decided to fire him.
The season is very young and there’s still a chance for them to find the right path. Of course the major doubt is who will take the Head Coach job, so here are some possible replacements for the Nets.
<h2>Possible replacements for Steve Nashat Brooklyn Nets</h2>
Steve Nash was not even close to end his third season as Head Coach with the Nets. The reports say the results are not the real reason why he was fired, but the bad mood that it was created between him and the players in the locker room.
Recently, Kevin Durant talked about their terrible start and said that the locker room was not in the best mood possible. After not being able to control the players, the Nets decided to part ways with Steve Nash and start thesearch for a new Head Coach.
Unfortunately, there are not so much options for the Nets. Jacque Vaughn will work as Interim Head Coach according to the team, but it is possible that he stays all the season with Brooklyn.
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img alt="Ime Udoka - Boston Celtics" data-height="335" data-size="w:1280,h:715" data-width="600" hspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221101_BUS_204327_ime_udoka.jpg_1028332792_d289e05a.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" title="Ime Udoka - Boston Celtics" vspace="5"></figure><figcaption> Ime Udoka – Boston Celtics </figcaption></figure>
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Of course the best option is <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-celtics-didnt-fire-ime-udoka-because-of-kevin-durant-nets-20221019-0005.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ime Udoka</a>, Celtics Head Coach. Recently, it was reported that Brooklyn was looking for him, but Boston kept him as they don’t want to give the Nets such a brilliant mind.
The Nets will, undoubtedly, try to convince Ime Udoka after Steve Nash got fired. It won’t be an easy deal to make, but the fans are asking the front office to bring a Head Coach that can control a tough locker room.
 
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NBA News | Nets and Head Coach Steve Nash agree to part ways: Possible replacements

NBA News | Nets and Head Coach Steve Nash agree to part ways: Possible replacements - Bolavip US

Latest news from Steve Nash. Find out about all the news related to Steve Nash on bolavip.com/en