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 MVP Three-Peat
Posted By: Gary Bender |
Wilt Chamberlain changed the way the game of basketball was played. |
I would get up at 5:00 a.m., milk two cows, eat breakfast, gas up the tractor, eat my sack lunch in the field, gas up the tractor again, plow until sundown and then milk those same two cows, eat supper and go to bed. Exciting, huh!!
So, to survive those long hot summer days I was forced to make up ballgames on the tractor. I would act like I was in Yankee Stadium one day, the Rose Bowl the next day and sing the National Anthem before every one of my imaginary broadcasts. I would even do the commercials!
My Dad, after suffering through four years of drought, couldn't make any money so we moved 40 miles into a small town and he resumed his coaching in the local high school. In my junior year we had the first undefeated football team in the school's history and as an end result my dad promised he would take me 400 miles to see Wilt Chamberlain make his debut at the University of Kansas. Freshman were not eligible to play in college at the time and so Wilt's first appearance would be against Northwestern at Home in Allen Field House as a sophomore.
The game was an epiphany for me! Wilt "the Stilt" appeared in a sold-out field house, bigger than life. At 7-1, he was all arms and legs. He exploded for 52 points in a performance that convinced me I wanted to be a sportscaster.
Why do I tell this story? All year long in the Suns Game Notes, it’s been noted that only three players in NBA History have captured three straight NBA-MVP Trophy – Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird.
Steve Nash has a chance to be only the fourth to do so. I think it's a mistake to try to compare the previous three greats with Nash. For instance, Wilt one season averaged 50.4 points a game, in one contest scoring 100 points and in another game grabbing 55 rebounds. He with tremendous grace and power changed the face of the game.
But, so has Steve! He is changing how the point guard position is being played. Statistics don't completely tell the story, even though the reigning back-to-back MVP is averaging a career-high in points and assists, and on pace to be the first since Magic Johnson to average 19 points and 11 assists.
Joe Gilmartin, one of the best basketball minds I've ever been around, says Steve does things that only Boston Celtics Great, Bob Cousy was able to do. If you watch some old black and white TV games, you can see some similarities. Their creativity is matchless.
Steve does something nobody else does; he will dribble into the middle of an opponent’s defense, continues the dribble until he finds the open man, and then sets his teammate up for a wide-open shot. I could go on, but my point is this; Nash, like Russell, Wilt and Bird changed the way the game is played.
That's enough in my books to make him an MVP 3-peat!
Comments
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
((((( APPLAUSE )))) !!!!!!
Nina - Manila, Philippines
Oh yes, definitely deserving of a third MVP. Nash is matchless on court, but he does have solid competition this year. I still have faith in the media that they'll pick him, though.
Lindsay - Scottsdale
Thanks Gary for the insightful blog! I love that you guys do this for us fans! It makes me feel like we're so much more involved and part of the great things this team is doing! I am so proud of what the Suns have accomplished so far this year and I know tons of other local fans that are just blown away by our guys this year as well!!!! Thanks for all your hard work and lets get the Spurs on thursday night!!! GO SUNS!!
shay - milton canada
of course nash deserves 3rd year mvp!! when he's on the floor everybody plays better even the opposin team!! and if he doesnt get i then i dont know what the nba is up to but he mostdefinitly should!!:P:P plus hes hotttt!!:P:P<3
~luv-shay~
Susan :-) - Hawaii
Great story Mr. Bender! Thanks for sharing it! Interesting how life experiences come full circle huh? The opportunity to be in the presence of 2 MVP greats in your lifetime! It began with one of the 1st 3-peets back then for you, the "Stupendous Mr. Chamberlain" to the present, "Out-of-this-world, Mr. Nash"! Not to take away anything from all the past 3-peeters but I honestly feel Mr. Nash is one of a kind & set-apart from the former awardees. Not only does he possess super vision & raw talent but he walks the talk as a humble & sincere man. It's obviously shown on and off the court. He's respected by his fellow teammates, peers and basically the world. What a huge responsibility to carry alone as well as live under intense media scrutiny! IN my book, he's a super MVP hero and a great role model to young kids & us old folk alike! He never takes the credit as an individual but accepts it as "one" unit..the Phoenix Suns. Nor does he ever whine, hog the ball or feel he's been short-changed for his talent. He is most deserving as one of the elite 3-peeters! The Suns fans BELIEVE..one step at a time...it's still in your grasp SUNS! Take care of business against the SPURS! This Suns fan has NEVER stop cheerin! I'll definitely be glued to the tube with my pompoms! :-) GOOOO SUNS!
Susan :-) - Hawaii
3-Peat, 3-Peaters (?) not 3-peet or 3-peeters...ha!ha! What was I thinkin? Good grief Charlie Brown! Too amped up about my devotation to the Phoenix Suns! :-) ~ Aloha ~
An - ChangChun China
Thank you for sharing your story!
Nash deserves this glory.absolutely!
Go Suns!!!
Wiktoria - Poland
Yay! You go Steve-all the way to the 3! And Suns-all the way to the CHAMP!
Lynn - Surprise, AZ
MVP 3-peat...ABSOLUTELY!
Steve Nash has changed the face of the game...so much more exciting to watch (and apparently to play, as well.) He makes everyone around him more successful with his unselfish play - which is contagious and then we've got the whole Suns team putting on a spectacular show. With the improved stats, how can he not get MVP again? Plus, on a purely subjective note, I'd rather root for a classy, humble, down-to earth super-star than any glory-hogging, whining, egotistical spoiled brat super-star that he's up against!
jonathan lucero & Family - Alamogordo New Mexico
You are one of the smartest men alive. Nash is doing things on the court we cant even begin to imagine, changing the face once again of basketball. As a coach i have installed the 7 seconds rule into our play, and with our 1 guard it works. thanks nash
Jacqueline Bow - Beijing China
Steve is an amazing guy!He surprises us all by taking his performance into a new height.A third one is as much as he deserves.But two is enough ,all he needs is nothing but a final championship.Go suns!!<(^@^)>
Wiktoria - Poland
Hey You guys-it's me again!=) Am sure everyone read the write-up to 100 Most Influential People of the year about STEVE by Charles Barkley-Why the NBA Needs This Man. Now, we all just could write-why the NBA needs this team!!!=D sunny kisses from rainy Poland!=P
Robert - Heber AZ
Hey all you suns fans the world over, our big man took nine boards away from #21 T Duncan last night!!! 23 boards total from Amare', opposing team held under 100 pts, suns score over 100 pts= the solution to succeed in playoff basketball. Steve Nash is HANDS DOWN the best candidate for league MVP, who else can get his team to elevate their level of play, just with his will? OK maybe magic or micheal, but they aren't on the court any more. Later.....
Valerie - Phoenix
I don't think anyone deserves the mvp more than steve! if the nba can't see how great everything he does is, i don't know what their problem is. plus it can't hurt that his wacky yet amazing passes are so much fun to watch!!!
Jill - Victoria, B. C. Canada
If basketball has a heart, for so many reasons, its Steve Nash. Happy, happy birthday, Steve, from Saanich. I hope you get your wish this year!
Diane - Gilbert
I love the Suns, I love Nash, I love this game! But the Suns beat Denver last night without Nash on the floor in the second half. Give credit where credit is due. Barbosa, if given the chance (and maybe he'll get it now with Nash having shoulder problems) could look like an MVP point guard too. We're lucky to have two of that calliber. But then there's Dirk, Wade, etc. etc. Lots of good candidates this year and may the best man win.
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