Steve Nash
(Born 1974)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2018
Card Shown:
2005-06 Upper Deck
Authentic Fabrics
Position: PG
Height: 6’3″
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Steve Nash, one of the most dynamic point guards in NBA history, made those around him better. Nash was born in South Africa and grew up in Canada. He only received one college scholarship offer, which he accepted from Santa Clara University. He went on to star for the Broncos and was selected with the 15th pick in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Steve spent is first two years as a backup to Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
A two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Nash was a top assist man and an incredible shooter. Four times during his career (an NBA record) Steve put up the elite shooting numbers 50-40-90, meaning that he made at least 50% of his field goal attempts, 40% of his three-point shots, and 90% of his free throws. Other players joining Nash in this rare accomplishment include Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Reggie Miller.
Awards and Honors
- During his eighteen-year NBA career, Nash was named an NBA All-Star eight times, twice while playing for the Dallas Mavericks and six times as a member of the Phoenix Suns. He also played two years for the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of his career.
- Steve was selected to the All-NBA First Team three times, the All-NBA Second Team twice, and the All-NBA Third Team twice during his professional career.
- In 2005, and again in 2006, Steve was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. In 2004-05 he tallied 15.5 points, a league-leading 11.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game in leading the Suns into the Western Conference Finals. The Suns lost in five games to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs who featured Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. In 2005-06 Steve averaged 18.8 points, again led the league with 10.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds as the Suns advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
- Nash led the NBA in assists five times during his career, joining John Stockton (9 times) and Jason Kidd (5 times) as the only players to accomplish this feat.
- In 2006-07, Steve won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding work and service in the community.
Points of Interest
- Steve retired as the best free throw shooter in NBA history, connecting on a record 90.43% of his free throws during his career. He led the NBA in free throw percentage twice, including his personal best 93.8% during the 2009-10 season.
- In 2010 Nash was honored with the opportunity to light the Olympic flame at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
- One of the first NBA players to adopt Twitter as a way to connect with his fans, Steve was named the Tweeter of the Year by Hoopshype two years in a row.
- Nash finished his illustrious NBA career with averages of 14.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds, and 0.1 blocked shots per game.
- Steve enjoys creating films. He founded a film company called Meathawk with his cousin Ezra Holland. The company has put out films including The Player and Into the Wind.
Statistics
Steve Nash Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com