Allen Iverson and Steve Nash – There’s No Comparison as to Who Is Better

Steve Nash’s Phoenix Suns lost a 101-99 game to the Dallas Mavericks last night. Nash scored 24 points and collected 13 dimes and four boards. It was an excellent performance by the two-time MVP. In fact, Nash’s overall game last night was far better than his average game the last two seasons. In 2004-04 season Stevie Wonderful averaged 15.5 ppg, 11.5 apg, and 3.3 rpg. His 2005-06 stats were even better – 18.8 ppg, 10.5 apg, and 4.2 rpg. As usual Nash’s game against the Mavs brought on the usual ‘Nash for three MVPs in a row’ talk. This season Nash averages are 19.8 ppg, 11.3 apg, and 3.2 rpg.

Now, call me crazy, but there’s someone out there who had a game last night that who made Nash’s performance look average; in fact he’s been doing it all season. His stats last night were 44, 10 and 3. His season stats are 30.5 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 2.6 rpg. Unfortunately, he’s not mentioned in the same breath as Nash.

In fact, grizzled NBA observers openly question his ability to mix with the star of his team and, in the end, his other teammates. Where Nash is seen as scoring when he must, this player is seen as a black hole. Where Nash’s assist totals exemplify his unselfishness, this player’s dime collecting is never mentioned. Nash is said to make his team better by fitting in with his teammates’ various styles of play while it is said the other player’s teammates must adjust to him. In 2004-04 he averaged 30.7 ppg, 7.9 apg, and 4.0 rpg. In 2005-06 he averaged 33.0 ppg, 7.4 apg, and 3.2 rpg. Additionally, this year the other player is averaging 2.3 steals per game while Nash’s average is 0.9.

By the end of the second paragraph you probably guessed that the “other player” is Denver’s Allen Iverson. Iverson’s Philadelphia teams the last two seasons won 44 and 38 games, respectively. With AI’s mediocre supporting cast the case can easily be made that he willed the 76ers to those win totals. Meanwhile Nash played in a much more scoring and assist-friendly offense. To illustrate, Philly’s offense average 99.1 ppg in the 2004-05 season the Phoenix’s 110.4 ppg. In 2005-06, the Sixers per game scoring average was 99.4 while the Suns ran to the tune of 108.4 ppg.

In my estimation there is no comparison between Nash and Iverson. AI played on worse teams and had better overall stats than Nash. This season is the same. In three games with the Nuggets Iverson is averaging 31.3 ppg, 11.0 apg, and 2.3rpg with 2.3 spg. This is happening with new teammates, with passes bouncing off unsuspecting hands and heads.  AI’s stats are large in spite of being matched with no one who can finish with any regularity. He’s doing this without Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby.

The complaint about Iverson is that, because of his dominating style of play, he doesn’t make the players around him better. Earl Boykins is averaging13.5 ppg on the season; with AI he’s averaging 25.6 ppg. Reggie Evans’ season ppg is7.1; with AI Evans is at 11 ppg. And those are Iverson’s top two scoring options. Even Eduardo Najara is averaging in double figures (10.1 ppg) since AI’s arrival. Stevie wonderful is trumpeted as the second coming of Bob Cousy and Allen Iverson is labeled as a selfish malcontent. 

You tell me why this is so, though I think I already know – the answer.

Allen Iverson and Steve Nash – There’s No Comparison as to Who Is Better

Steve Nash’s Phoenix Suns lost a 101-99 game to the Dallas Mavericks last night. Nash scored 24 points and collected 13 dimes and four boards. It was an excellent performance by the two-time MVP. In fact, Nash’s overall game last night was far better than his average game the last two seasons. In 2004-04 season Stevie Wonderful averaged 15.5 ppg, 11.5 apg, and 3.3 rpg. His 2005-06 stats were even better – 18.8 ppg, 10.5 apg, and 4.2 rpg. As usual Nash’s game against the Mavs brought on the usual ‘Nash for three MVPs in a row’ talk. This season Nash averages are 19.8 ppg, 11.3 apg, and 3.2 rpg.

Now, call me crazy, but there’s someone out there who had a game last night that who made Nash’s performance look average; in fact he’s been doing it all season. His stats last night were 44, 10 and 3. His season stats are 30.5 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 2.6 rpg. Unfortunately, he’s not mentioned in the same breath as Nash.

In fact, grizzled NBA observers openly question his ability to mix with the star of his team and, in the end, his other teammates. Where Nash is seen as scoring when he must, this player is seen as a black hole. Where Nash’s assist totals exemplify his unselfishness, this player’s dime collecting is never mentioned. Nash is said to make his team better by fitting in with his teammates’ various styles of play while it is said the other player’s teammates must adjust to him. In 2004-04 he averaged 30.7 ppg, 7.9 apg, and 4.0 rpg. In 2005-06 he averaged 33.0 ppg, 7.4 apg, and 3.2 rpg. Additionally, this year the other player is averaging 2.3 steals per game while Nash’s average is 0.9.

By the end of the second paragraph you probably guessed that the “other player” is Denver’s Allen Iverson. Iverson’s Philadelphia teams the last two seasons won 44 and 38 games, respectively. With AI’s mediocre supporting cast the case can easily be made that he willed the 76ers to those win totals. Meanwhile Nash played in a much more scoring and assist-friendly offense. To illustrate, Philly’s offense average 99.1 ppg in the 2004-05 season the Phoenix’s 110.4 ppg. In 2005-06, the Sixers per game scoring average was 99.4 while the Suns ran to the tune of 108.4 ppg.

In my estimation there is no comparison between Nash and Iverson. AI played on worse teams and had better overall stats than Nash. This season is the same. In three games with the Nuggets Iverson is averaging 31.3 ppg, 11.0 apg, and 2.3rpg with 2.3 spg. This is happening with new teammates, with passes bouncing off unsuspecting hands and heads.  AI’s stats are large in spite of being matched with no one who can finish with any regularity. He’s doing this without Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby.

The complaint about Iverson is that, because of his dominating style of play, he doesn’t make the players around him better. Earl Boykins is averaging13.5 ppg on the season; with AI he’s averaging 25.6 ppg. Reggie Evans’ season ppg is7.1; with AI Evans is at 11 ppg. And those are Iverson’s top two scoring options. Even Eduardo Najara is averaging in double figures (10.1 ppg) since AI’s arrival. Stevie wonderful is trumpeted as the second coming of Bob Cousy and Allen Iverson is labeled as a selfish malcontent. 

You tell me why this is so, though I think I already know – the answer.