Steve Nash is the Best

(BOD - Nicole Scherzinger)

After yesterday’s estrogen-riddled podcast, today’s entry will focus purely on sports in an attempt to hang on to the remaining shards of my masculinity.

(Sure, I could talk about the final performance night of the ninth season of American Idol, but I usually like to do that only when there is ample opportunity to mock. Truthfully, I thought all of the performances were excellent last night. That would make for a more boring column than usual.

My only regret is, after listening to Lee’s rendition of ‘The Boxer’ by Simon and Garfunkel, that I didn’t pick a copy of Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits last weekend when I had the chance. That’s not a joke, I love their music)

Steve Nash led his Phoenix Suns to their second consecutive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers last night, evening their series at two games a piece. After the Lakers beat the Suns handily in Game 1, basketball pundits across the web said it was evidence of the Lakers’ superiority.

I, rightfully, said the victory didn’t mean much; all it signified was that the Lakers used home court to their advantage. Now, the series is down to a best of 3, with the home team winning all four games thus far.

I have run out of superlatives to describe Steve Nash. There’s no point in discussing just how well he is playing this year. If Nash isn’t the top point guard in the NBA, then he is 1A next to Rajon Rondo’s 1B. What is most fascinating about Steve Nash are the mitigating factors surrounding his play.

Nash is 36 years old. Point guards are not supposed to play at such a high level in their mid-thirties and he has shown no signs of slowing down. The position requires the speed and quickness of a younger man and Nash has been dominating the spot for more than decade.

I would argue it’s the most physically demanding position in the sport; the work capacity needed to succeed at the point is extraordinary. The fact Nash is able to still play so well is a testament to his fitness and work ethic.

Steve Nash is the toughest player in the NBA by a country mile. It’s not even up for debate. The injuries he has played through this postseason are unparalleled in the annals of professional basketball (except for maybe Willis Reed when he played with a broken leg, but everyone was exponentially tougher in the 70s anyway).

The fact Nash played after getting clocked by an inadvertent Tim Duncan elbow wasn’t the most impressive thing about the sequence, although it would have brought lesser players to their knees.

Can you imagine if Vince Carter got hit by the same elbow? He’d be in a coma right now being read his Last Rites.

No, the most impressive thing is that Nash scored ten plus points and five or so assists with one eye (the eye that hit Duncan’s elbow swelled shut). Do you have any idea how tough it is to do anything with one eye? You have zero depth perception. Try to complete normal tasks for five minutes with one eye covered. It’s impossible. Steve Nash played and dominated in an NBA playoff game with one eye.

Now, in the conference final, Nash had his nose broken. He didn’t miss any time and refused to wear bandages or a face mask. He’s a true warrior.

Admittedly, if Nash played hockey, his actions would be considered ordinary because hockey players are tough as nails, but in the lily-white world of professional basketball Steve Nash is the toughest man on Earth.

It’s actually quite surprising since Nash considers himself to be a soccer player first and they are the biggest pansies in sports. I suppose being Canadian trumps soccer playing ninny.

Nash also has a tremendous wit. I mentioned last week that Phil Jackson accused him of carrying the ball up court. Nash’s response: “The best coach in the league, Gregg Popovich, didn’t have a problem with it.”

Hey-ooooo!

If the Suns can get past the Lakers, I have a feeling Captain Canada will be capturing his first Larry O’Brien trophy in a few weeks time.