Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash, one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history, celebrates his 40th birthday today, February 7th!
Known for his high basketball IQ, flashy passes, tremendous work ethic and long, flawless hair Nash has become one of the most popular NBA players this generation has seen. Taken with the 15th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, he played for three teams – two stints with the Suns, the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers. Nash the NBA’s fourth all time leaders in assists with 10,287 over the course of 1, 209 games (accurate as of February 6, 2014).
Nash led the Suns to the playoffs from 2005-2010, winning back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards (2005 & 2006) in the process. He formed a dangerous 1-2 combo with big man Amare Stoudemire, utilizing the pick-and-roll to perfection. However, the team has never made it to the NBA Finals during those times.
After missing the playoffs for two straight years in 2011 and 2012, Nash agreed to a sign-and-trade deal worth $27 million/3 years to play for the Lakers, in an attempt to win a championship in his last few years of playing. He has been sidelined by back injuries for most of the past two years however.
With career averages of 14.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game, while shooting 49.1% overall Field Goals, 92.2% from the free throw line, and 42.8% shooting from three, Nash’s place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachussets is virtually guaranteed.
Go greet Steve on Twitter!
@SteveNash
Here is Steve Nash’s top 10 career assists (prepare to be dazzled by the sick passes)
You can also read this on my basketball blog, Nothing But Net
patrickkennan.com 