The 2000s marked one of the most competitive eras in NBA history. From Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan to Shaquille O'Neal and a young LeBron James . And then there's Steve Nash — the man who won the most league MVPs through that era than all those names. The man who won as many MVPs as Shaq and Kobe combined. As awkward as that sounds, there's no denying the point guard was one of the best players in basketball. Yet, Skip Bayless lamented O'Neal's second-place finish in 2004-05 as 'laughable' and 'hilarious.'
"But the league's Most Valuable Player. "That's more laughable than Shaquille O'Neal's many hilarious one-liners,"" he wrote on ESPN.com
"Shaq was the MVP, as much for his mature leadership as his numbers (22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks). Shaq Diesel should have blown Steve's little Nash Rambler off the voting road. Yet Nash somehow prevailed by the fourth-closest margin in league history – 1,066 points to 1,032, including 68-58 in first-place votes."
Skip clarifies he's not a hater
Many don't know this, but Bayless was actually one of Nash's Most colorful naysayers back then. While he was slowly starting his backlash for the developing James in Cleveland, he dug in on the Phoenix Suns star—fueled by his utter acceptance of O'Neal, whom he praised more than any player other than his beloved Michael Jordan.
"The problem with this opinion – or fact – is that it casts me as a Nash-bashing villain in many wide eyes,"" he added.
"Before we proceed another dribble, let me be very clear about this: Steve Nash had a wonderful season. In fact, he got more out of his natural ability than any other NBA player got out of his. I get a great kick out of watching Nash and his Phoenix Suns run and stun. Nash was the NBA's Catalyst of the Year."
Not even the best on his own team?
Saying the MVP winner should not have won the award is one thing. Saying that and adding that he was not even the best player on his own team is an entirely different thing. We know the talking head is the pioneer of sports debate and offers unfiltered and unapologetic takes on live TV, but this might have been a rather extreme take.
"Nash was the NBA equivalent of the Heisman Trophy winner who puts up sensational numbers in a run-and-shoot offense. As terrific as Nash was, he was partly a product of a Suns solar system around which sharpshooting athletes revolve.
"Nash isn't even the best player on his team. If, hypothetically, you gave other teams the chance to take Nash or Stoudemire just for next season, most GMs surely would take Stoudemire. He's a 6-10, shot-blocking, court-running force," " Skip concluded.
For reference, Amare Stoudemire, Nash's teammate finished ninth on the ballot for the 04-05 MVP. But if you look closer, you may find that Skip's take wasn't so audacious after all. While the 22-year-old still wasn't on the true level of a 30-year-old All-Star point guard, to average 26.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on 55.9% shooting form the field is awfully impressive — especially in year 3.
As basic as his 15.5 points per game looked, Nash's 11.5 assists were next level — good for 1st in the league by a wide margin. The 30-year-old was also 4th in offensive win shares and 5th in offensive box plus-minus. Even if you're not a stat geek, it's hard to deny that it isn't impressive.
Related: "What's the name of the little kid?" - When MJ praised Steve Nash despite not knowing his full name
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