By Willem Thomas

Ithough he may not of even been
A= in Canada, Steve Nash

brings out positive thoughts and
support from most Canadians, in a similar
way to how many residents of Canada
instinctively feel a closer connection to
the Canadian NHL franchises over those
based in American cities, no matter how
terribly those teams may be performing,
or even if their stars are of European or
American descent.

First off, I’m not making any calls
upon Nash’s lack of playing ability, nor
am I saying he doesn’t deserve to be
aligned with a squad that can benefit (as
in actually make it to the finals) from his
offensive capabilities, play-making skills,
and his tenacity. Its just been made (fairly)
clear to most that Nash will (probably)
never set foot on the court during a NBA
finals series, let alone will he be granted
a championship ring. Statistically, you

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could say most players don’t experience
a finals game, so it’s not a matter of any
gravity that Nash may never play in an
NBA finals game, right? :
Wrong. Look at the accolades and
accomplishments he has brought to
himself within his career; with those
awards, stats, and skills, he commands
the type of professional sports resume in
which you would expect to see multiple
championship rings adorning his fingers
(figuratively, very few athletes regularly
sport their championship/Super Bowl
rings), but alas, he has yet to make it past
the Western Conference Finals.
Considering the facts that Nash was
the back-to-back league MVP (and the
first Canadian and only the second non-
United States born player to win MVP)
in 05’ and 06’, has been selected for the
NBA All-Star Game seven times, won
the All-Star skills challenge twice, holds
many records for assists, was included in
TIME magazine’s 100 most influential

people in the world list in 2006, has been
given countless awards for community
service, donations, and philanthropy,
and is the absolute face of basketball in
Canada...yeah its sort of a “problem”
that he’ll most likely never receive the
championship he arguably deserves.
Looking at the current NBA
season, and how the Phoenix Suns are
performing/their current standing in the
Western Conference, its a slight long-
shot to even consider them eligible for
a playoff spot, let-alone them making
the finals this year. That’s why there was
much-speculating regarding a possible
trade for Nash out of Phoenix to an actual
championship-contending squad, but
with the trade deadline come and gone
last week it seems Nash (or at least the
Suns’ management) is committed to one
last playoff-run before a easily predicted
rebuild in the coming season, or at least
definitely in the season following. The
onset of a rebuild for Phoenix is seen in

 

the trade-away of Nash’s right-hand man
Amare Stoudemire, and from looking at
Nash’s age. Also, with Phoenix picking
up the rapidly fading Vince Carter this
season, it’s clear they’re going a route
of almost experimentation before the
inevitable rebuild. Although he may still
be excelling currently, Nash has, maybe,
three more seasons of All-Star level play
left in him max.

With Nash most likely going down
as one of the top point guards of all time,
and with his leadership, commitment, and
the overall positive energy he brings to
the sport, and also considering his beyond
hero-like status within Canada, it isn’t as
if he hasn’t accomplished anything in his
NBA career, he just will probably never
experience the feeling of lifting the NBA
championship trophy above his head, nor
will he receive the legacy that comes with
that. Unfortunately.