Nash joins the ranks of Magic

Steve Nash has once again claimed an honour that reflects well on his talent and enthusiasm for basketball. For the second year in a row, the Victoria, BC B-Baller has been named the MVP for the NBA.

Nash who is the glue that keeps the Phoenix Suns together game in and game out, now will be mentioned in the same breath as that of Magic Johnson, a rather talented basketballer that folks may remember. Together they are the only two point guards to win back to back MVP awards in the NBA.

It’s an honour well deserved for Nash, who has taken his game to a level not seen by many in a long time. He can single handedly bring his team back into any contest and as the recent series showdown against the Lakers proved, with Nash in control of the ball no lead is safe, no margin is too great to overcome.

More importantly than his success on the professional courts though, is his effect on basketball at the grass roots. There are no doubt thousands of young basketball players across North America putting his work ethic to work in a quest to better their game.

For Canadians his commitment to nation goes unquestioned. Year after year, while other Canadian born NBAers would turn down the national team, Nash would pull on that maple leaf jersey and try to will his team mates on to greater glory. He came close in a number of attempts, but even Nash could not do it alone and his goal of a gold medal or a world championship came up a little short.

But if effort was a medal sport, Nash would have the gold game in and game out. By far his greatest impact has been on Canadian basketball’s growing years, since he has appeared on the NBA radar basketball in Canada has been growing at an amazing rate, from high school teams to the city leagues that have sprouted up from coast to coast, the status of Nash as a Canadian icon in sport has fed the growth of the sport across the nation.

He regularly donates his time and money to help basketball grow in Canada, sponsoring many leagues and clinics to bring the game to an even wider audience. His other charitable works through his foundation aid less fortunate nations, something that doesn’t get near as much credit as it deserves

For now though, his building blocks and other good works will have to percolate on low, he still has some work to do on the court. His Suns lead the Clippers 1-0 in their current playoff round, once again aided by the talents of the skinny kid from Victoria.

He’s already won the regular season MVP award and has long been a Most Valuable Canadian, with the playoffs rolling on nicely for the Suns, there’s every chance he’ll be adding some more accolades to the resume over the next few weeks.