Steve Nash

Lore & Background

Nash's return to Phoenix in the 2004 offseason was the catalyst for one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NBA history. The Suns improved by 33 wins over the previous season, the third-best year-to-year jump ever, and finished with a franchise-best 62–20 record. Nash's leadership was tested when he missed games due to a bruised thigh and back spasms in January, and a strained hamstring in late February, contributing to a six-game losing streak after a 31–4 start. Despite those absences, he led the league in assists per game and was named Western Conference Player of the Week three times (for games played December 19–25, February 6–12, and again in February). In the playoffs, Nash guided the Suns past the Memphis Grizzlies in a four-game sweep and defeated his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in six games before falling to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

In Their Own Story

The 2004–05 season began with Nash orchestrating a fast break that left defenses scrambling. In November, he was named Western Conference Player of the Month, and the Suns won 31 of their first 35 games. But when Nash suffered a bruised thigh on January 15, he missed two games, and the team lost six straight. He returned to lead the league in assists and three-point percentage, and in the playoffs, he faced his old team, the Mavericks, in the semifinals. After a six-game series win, the Suns met the Spurs in the conference finals, where Nash's playmaking kept Phoenix competitive, but San Antonio's defense prevailed in five games.

Reader's Guide

Steve Nash's 2004–05 season with the Suns is defined by his MVP-winning performance and his role in the league's most efficient offense. He averaged 11.5 assists per game, led the NBA in that category, and shot 50.2% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range. Nash was named to the All-NBA First Team and won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. He also won the Skills Challenge at the 2005 All-Star Weekend with a time of 25.8 seconds. His partnership with Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion created a pick-and-roll attack that powered the Suns to a 62–20 record, tying the franchise best. Nash's ability to draw fouls and shoot from long range made him a nightmare for defenses, and his leadership was recognized with three Western Conference Player of the Week awards. After the season, the Suns traded Joe Johnson to the Hawks and Quentin Richardson to the Knicks, but Nash remained the cornerstone of the franchise.

Did You Know?

• Steve Nash led the NBA in assists per game during the 2004–05 season with an average of 11.5.
• Nash won the Skills Challenge at the 2005 All-Star Weekend with a time of 25.8 seconds.
• He was named Western Conference Player of the Month for November 2004.
• Nash finished third in All-Star voting among Western Conference guards with 1,148,275 votes.
• He shot 43.1% from three-point range during the regular season.