This is a time for Canada to hold high its collective head. Not since James Naismith invented the game have the United States' neighbors to the north had this much to smile about.
Why? It's not because of the Raptors, though they are headed in the right direction. The reason for an elevated national hoops pride is favorite son Steve Nash, who was born in South Africa but raised in Victoria, British Columbia.
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| Summer photos reveal that the formerly shaggy-haired Steve Nash will be rockin' a new 'do this season. (Getty Images) |
This era being the one in which little guys have gained ground on the behemoths. Although Shaq and Tim Duncan reign supreme in winning championships, the game is smaller and quicker now, with no one sneering at the Roadrunner Project going on in Phoenix.
Think about it. Although the Suns didn't make the NBA Finals, they qualified for consecutive conference finals and Nash was league MVP both seasons. The only contemporary who can make a claim as best of his era is Jason Kidd, and he has no hardware -- neither personal nor team -- despite two trips to the Finals.
Allen Iverson did his thing, scoring at will and doing more dishing than he got credit for, yet Nash not only had more around him, but delivered improvement wherever he went. He has become something of a phenomenon recently, capitalizing on his precision passing to successfully offset his liabilities at the defensive end.
As good as the Mavericks were this past year, they would have won a championship if the Nash and Nowitzki Show was still running. If Nash were American, the U.S. would have come back from the FIBA World Championship with gold. If the talent around him stays healthy, Phoenix could seize control of the Western Conference from the state of Texas.
That's how good Nash has become. He's the difference-maker between good and great. He's the first name that comes to mind when you're choosing someone to run the show. The J-Kidd, A.I. and Chauncey Billups backers will no doubt disagree, but there's no denying that Nash is at the top of his game.
1. Steve Nash, Phoenix: If Amare Stoudemire is healthy, this could be the season Nash guides the Suns to the NBA Finals. He is adept at making teammates better and his passing is contagious, so expect him to again lead the league in assists and be up for a third consecutive MVP.
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| Allen Iverson (Getty Images) |
3. Chauncey Billups, Detroit: Because of the way the season ended, it's easy to forget how phenomenal Billups was in 2005-06. As the Pistons flirted with the 70-win plateau, it was "Mr. Big Shot" who led the way, averaging career highs in scoring (18.5) and assists (8.6) and playing some of the best defense of his career.
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| Jason Kidd, Nets (Getty Images) |
5. Gilbert Arenas, Washington: Arenas has become one of the NBA's top shooters and most unstoppable scorers, but his playmaking skills still need work. Once he's able to keep turnovers down and ensure his teammates stay involved, Washington will take its next step.
6. Tony Parker, San Antonio: His first All-Star berth came last season and was well merited. Parker was the MVP of the Spurs, raising his level of play to pick up banged-up teammates Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and delivering the top record in the Western Conference. Parker still isn't a threat from the perimeter, but few are quicker or penetrate better.
7. Mike Bibby, Sacramento: It will be interesting to see how his role changes under a new coach. Rick Adelman got a lot out of Bibby, but there has always been a sense he can do more. He's nearly 20 pounds lighter than he was at the end of last season and hopes to have increased quickness.
8. Baron Davis, Golden State: He just hasn't been able to stay healthy, but a bounty of inflated stats await him if he can avoid the IR. With Don Nelson back, the Warriors are going to run first and ask questions later. Davis excels in an open style.
9. Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City: In a few seasons, expect Paul to be at or near the top of this list. The Hornets' second-year floor general is a winner, and he's determined to get better. The people of New Orleans should be as excited about him as they are about NFL rookie Reggie Bush.
| Rankings comparison | ||
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| 2006 | 2005 | Stock |
| 1. S. Nash | 1 | SAME |
| 2. A. Iverson | 2 | SAME |
| 3. C. Billups | 8 |
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| 4. J. Kidd | 3 |
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| 5. G. Arenas | 5 | SAME |
| 6. T. Parker | 9 |
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| 7. M. Bibby | 6 |
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| 8. B. Davis | 4 |
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| 9. C. Paul | 13 |
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| 10. S. Cassell | 19 |
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| Complete 2005 rankings | ||
10. Sam Cassell, L.A. Clippers: He really is among the most underrated players of his era, and proved it by helping the Clippers reach the second round of the playoffs in his first season with the team. The Hawks nearly were able to pry him away to aid their cause, but Cassell ultimately stayed put and is likely to finish his career trying to take the Clips to the top.
11. Stephon Marbury, New York: Last year was a nightmare. This season, the Knicks hope Marbury will find redemption. Isiah Thomas' future rests on Starbury's shoulders. He's still extraordinarily gifted, but 2006-07 is going to reveal an awful lot about his character.
12. Jason Terry, Dallas: You would be hard-pressed to find another player who has done more to enhance his reputation than Jet has in recent years. He has embraced every challenge and delivered in the clutch far more than he has failed.
13. Kirk Hinrich, Chicago: The Bulls better lock him into a lengthy extension soon. Talented young leaders like Hinrich are hard to find, especially for Chicago, which hasn't been this strong at point guard in decades.
14. Andre Miller, Denver: He has continued to disappoint over the past few seasons, and he's still a liability as a shooter. Miller has not come close to duplicating what he did in his final season with Cleveland (2001-02), when he averaged 11 assists and looked like a star. As things stand, that year now looks like an aberration.
15. Steve Francis, New York: Who knows how he's going to be worked in by Thomas, but you have to imagine there will be minutes for Francis. Once one of the most productive guards in the league, Francis has fallen far, but languishing on the bench last season should be rock bottom. Things have to get better for him.
| Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Date | Position |
| Aug. 29 | Center |
| Sept. 5 | Small forward |
| Sept. 12 | Power forward |
| Sept. 19 | Point guard |
| Sept. 26 | Shooting guard |
| Oct. 4 | Top 50 |
| Oct. 10 | Coach |
16. Devin Harris, Dallas: He's coming along nicely, blessed with great defensive instincts and blazing speed. He's streaky and still prone to making errors due to inexperience, but Avery Johnson is sure to mold him into one of the top young guards in basketball.
17. Mike James, Minnesota: Although his shot selection was often questioned, James was one of last season's breakout performers. He'll be asked to provide offense in his new home, and won't have to be asked twice.
18. Raymond Felton, Charlotte: The Bobcats were ecstatic about his development late last season and are counting on continued improvement. Although he's a pass-first kind of guy, he is more capable of getting his own offense than previously thought.
19. Luke Ridnour, Seattle: He had his ups and downs upon being handed the point guard duties in Seattle, but having no safety net behind him allowed him to make mistakes without looking over his shoulder. That will serve the Sonics well in the future.
20. Jameer Nelson, Orlando: A born leader, Nelson is making the Magic his team. It's no wonder he quickly gained everyone's respect, carrying himself with a quiet confidence and displaying a fantastic work ethic.
Also considered: T.J. Ford, Toronto; Damon Stoudamire, Memphis; Jason Williams, Miami; Deron Williams, Utah; Delonte West, Boston; Sebastian Telfair, Boston; Jose Calderon, Toronto; Speedy Claxton, Atlanta; Carlos Arroyo, Orlando; Shaun Livingston, L.A. Clippers.
