Comparing Steve Nash to the All-Time Great Point Guards

Steve Nash is unquestionably the best point guard in the game today. My only question is where does Nash fit with the rest of the point guards in NBA history? Nash is a two-time (possibly three-time) MVP and the leader of one of the most dynamic teams in the NBA today. But is he an all-time great? There are many out there that would immediately scoff at such a question (given that every MVP has made the hall of fame), but I think it's a very valid one. Nash has been spectacular over the last three years of his career, but what about the rest of his career?

Nash is in his 11th season in the league and before his last three seasons, I don't think you could have found anyone that would have considered him a hall of fame candidate. During his first four years in the league, he struggled to score double figures, and definitely was not one of the top ten point guards in the game at that time. Over the next four seasons, he became one of the better point guards in the game, but still wasn't considered one of the top two point guards in the game at that time (only made the All-NBA third team twice over that time). During his three most recent seasons, he turned up his game a ton, capturing the last two MVPs and currently performing at a level that might allow him to secure a third one. Along with Mike D'Antoni's run and gun system, Steve Nash has helped turned the Phoenix Suns into a perennial championship contender. But even with his accomplishments over the last three years, I don't think Nash has done anything to garner the all-time great status that some current fans and media types have bestowed upon him. I know it's natural for NBA fans to think with historical blinders on, but is Nash really one of the all-time great point guards?

Here are my top five point guards of all-time:

1) Magic Johnson
2) Oscar Robertson
3) Isiah Thomas
4) John Stockton
5) Jason Kidd

I don't think you can really argue against those being the five best pgs of all-time, because their all-star, all-nba, and finals appearances blow everyone else's out of the water. As well, the career statistics that each have accumulated place them among the best at the position in steals, assists, and points. All are not only some of the top point guards of all-time, but also some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The next five is where it starts to get a little bit murky. I know they all definitely deserve to be in the top ten, but I'm just not sure where they belong in comparison to one another. Here are my next five (in no particular order):

Nate Archibald
Bob Cousy
Walt Frazier
Dennis Johnson
Gary Payton

As with my top five, all have been to multiple NBA Finals, made multiple All-NBA and/or All-Defensive teams, and have been career long all-stars. But where does that leave Nash? Has Nash had a better career than any of those guys?

Archibald, Cousy, and Frazier are members of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list and Payton made nine all-star, nine all-nba (two first teams, five second teams, and two third teams), and nine all-defensive teams. As well, Payton is third all-time in total steals, sixth all-time in total assists, and twenty second all-time in points. Nash will have to play another five years at his current MVP level to even come close to accumulating the accomplishments of these all-time greats, yet there are probably some that think Nash has had a better career than all of them.

DJ's career is probably the most parallel to Nash's in terms of stats, but if you look at team and individual playoff accomplishments, DJ easily surpasses Nash. First, before he was the starting PG for two Boston Celtics Championship teams, he led the Seattle Sonics to the Finals twice (winning once) in his first three years in the league (and the Sonics weren't stacked like the Suns of today). As well, he was probably the best defensive point guard in the game for a majority of his career during an era when guys like Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, and Isiah Thomas were top point guards in the league.

Beyond this list, let's consider some other great point guards that have had similar careers to Nash. Kevin Johnson made five All-NBA teams (four second teams, and one third team) at a time when Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, and John Stockton were still playing the league. He also averaged 18 points and 9 assists for an entire career. Mark Price (the guy Nash's game reminds me most of) made four All-NBA teams (once on the first team, and four times on the third team) and like Nash had a season where he shot 40% from three, 50% from the field, and 90% from the line, yet you don't here his name mentioned with the all-time greats. Even the recently controversial Tim Hardaway has put up career numbers that are as good, if not better than Nash's. He made five All-NBA teams (once on the first team, three times on the second team, and once on the third team) and averaged 18 points and 8 assists for his entire career. Nash on the other hand has only been playing at that kind of level for the last few years.

I know there are going to be a ton of Nash supporters out there, but the proof is in the pudding baby. Nash might be the best point guard in the game today, but for a year in 1992, so was Mark Price. And yes Nash might have had a spectacular run the last few seasons, but it takes more than a few great seasons to be considered an all-time great. If compiling a couple of great seasons makes you an all-time great, then a guy like Penny Hardaway should also be considered one of the greatest players of all-time (two All-NBA first team appearances, and 4 all-star team appearances...sounds kind of like Nash, doesn't it?).

Although Nash's career is not over yet, considering his age, it will be difficult for him to catch up to the all-time greats such as Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson, and all most as difficult for him to catch second tier greats such as Gary Payton and Walt Frazier.