Is Steve Nash only a good player on a fast paced offense? - RootZoo Sports

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Posted in NBA Basketball / Phoenix Suns

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, YE

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I would have to say so. This is a guy that benefited from D'Antoni's system tremendously. A lot of the players D'Antoni has coached, have inflated numbers. This is due to the fast pace his teams play.

Let's take a look at the Suns pace in the D'Antoni/Nash era (I am only taking into account full seasons)

2004-2005: 95.9 (1st overall)

2005-2006: 95.8 (1st overall)

2006-2007: 95.6 (3rd overall)

2007-2008: 96.7 (4th overall)

Let's take a look at the pace this season under Terry Porter...

2008-2009: 92.8 (9th overall)

A team that plays at an average pace, doesn't really get as many possessions as Nash got while playing for D'Antoni. They get a few less (maybe 90 if lucky).

Why didn't Nash play like this when he was a Mav?

Let's take a look at the Mav's pace factor in those seasons...

1998-1999: 89.0 (13th overall) Nash REALLY sucked this season.

1999-2000: 94.9 (6th overall) Despite having a pretty high PF, Nash still sucked.

2000-2001: 93.2 (4th overall) This is Nash's first good season.

2001-2002: 92.8 (4th overall) This is Nash's second good season.

2002-2003: 92.5 (7th overall) This is Nash's best season as a Mav.

2003-2004: 93.2 (2nd overall) This is Nash's fourth good season overall and last one with the Mavs.

It seems to me that Nash has REALLY benefited from the fast paced offense. However, do you think it benefits all PG's to have a fast paced offense, or just some PG's? Do you think people tend to overrate Nash?

One thing I forgot to mention is that people tend to overrate him, because he is so efficient. This guy is the definition of efficiency. But is he really that good or do people make him look better than what he really is?

Thanks for the feedback!

Posted on 6/1/09

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RIP Volfan Courage+Believe = LIFE!, DE

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Well, I think that only certain PG's would benefit from a fast paced offense. Nash shoots a lot and the fast pace gets him the type of shots that he knocks down. Nash is overrated in my opinion and only won MVP awards due to the system he was in and the fact that he had shooters around him.

D'Antoni is a great coach for a fast paced team...as long as the team can knock down shots.

Posted on 6/1/09

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, YE

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Totally agree with you. He didn't deserve the two MVP's he got. He is overrated. He started peaking his last seasons in Dallas and right when D'Antoni became his coach.

Posted on 6/1/09

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Classic Rock Group, NY

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not necesarily, i think over 70% would
i mean, chris duhon was nothign until he played for dantoni, and hes putting up 8.5 assists

Posted on 6/1/09

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RIP Volfan Courage+Believe = LIFE!, DE

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Assists always have to do with the players you are passing the ball to. Duhon is benefiting from the players around him as well as the system...similar to how Nash did.

Posted on 7/1/09

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PhillySportzFan75

, NJ

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nash is not over rated in my opinion... HE makes everyone on the team better he gets into the paint so easily especially for a smaller guard... that forces defenses 2 collapses thus allowing the kick out pass open jumper AND OR draws the bigs 2 him and subsequently leave there man 2 help d on nash which allows for the easy oop or dish for a lay in !!!

i think he could effectivly run a slower paced offense as well

Posted on 6/1/09

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, YE

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Posted on 6/1/09

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Online Bleedin purple and gold 4 life

Lemming nation, MN

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damn ur gettin no love =\

Posted on 6/1/09

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, YE

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Like always of course.

Posted on 6/1/09

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Online hpanic7342

Chicago, IL

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Just some PGs, especially the ones who can see the floor well like Nash. He did better with Phoenix's fast pace, though we shouldn't undersell what he did in Dallas. He was REALLY good as a Maverick.

Posted on 6/1/09

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, YE

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Why do you think that he started playing well at around the age of 26 or 27? I think that's really weird.

Posted on 6/1/09

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Online hpanic7342

Chicago, IL

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Some players do weird stuff. Why did Tracy McGrady peak at 23? Who knows.

Posted on 6/1/09

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, YE

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23 is a normal age though. It's not normal to peak in your late 20's. That just doesn't happen.

Posted on 7/1/09

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memphis, TN

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i dont think hes overrate, i think the fastbreak did help his stats though, but he has a great shot and dribbles around people and gets into the lane so easy, the only person who does it better is CP3

Posted on 6/1/09

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Cleveland, OH

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There's no question that being under D'Antoni GREATLY improved his game and stats.. like like Chris Duhon is benefitting from it now with the Knicks. CHRIS DUHON! haha..

But, no.. I wouldn't say that Nash is only a good player under a fast paced offense. Obviously his stats have taken a dive, but he's still a good player.

Posted on 6/1/09

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Tampa, FL

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Well thought out post, but it looks strangely similar to Bill Simmons article in ESPN the Mag last month......

Posted on 7/1/09

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, YE

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I didn't copy and paste anything. What are you insinuating? I haven't even read that article.

Posted on 7/1/09

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Tampa, FL

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Either you misunderstood me or I was not very clear. The "Well thought out" part was actually sincere and then I was simply pointing out that simmons wrote an article similar to this one last month. His lacked the statistical depth that you went into however. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

Posted on 7/1/09

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, YE

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My bad man. Sorry!

Do you have the link to his article?

Posted on 7/1/09

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Tampa, FL

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here ya go:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3797805

Posted on 7/1/09

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taekneek (banned)

Cherry Hill, NJ

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Steve Nash is the player who leads the fast paced offense

Posted on 7/1/09

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