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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Report: Nash to be named MVP
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash will reportedly be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the second straight season, becoming the first point guard since Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson to take home the hardware in consecutive campaigns.
Johnson accomplished the feat following the 1988-1989 and 1989-90 seasons. Nash and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who took home the award in 2002 and 2003, will have won four out of the last five MVP honors.
A league source told The Arizona Republic that Nash will win the award in a close race, edging Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.
The award may not be handed out for two weeks, more in line with last season's May 8 announcement.
Nash barely beat out Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal in the fourth-closest MVP vote last season.
A year after leading Phoenix to a franchise record-tying 62 wins and averaging a league-leading 11.5 assists, Nash dazzled voters with not just his statistics, but his ability to carry a team that played all but three regular- season games without injured star forward Amare Stoudemire.
The 32-year-old Nash led the Suns to 54 wins and their first repeat division title with just Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa back for a full season. Nash's unselfish nature and great court vision allowed role players Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Tim Thomas to shine.
Nash also recorded career highs in scoring (18.8 ppg), rebounding (4.2 rpg), field goal percentage (.512) and free-throw percentage (NBA-best .921). The All-Star also dished out a league-leading 10.5 assists per game and drained 43.9 percent of his three-point attempts.
The Suns continue their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Nash scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists in Phoenix's 107-102 victory in Game 1 on Sunday