Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a freethrow during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 17, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
When you look at the list of NBA most valuable players - let alone those who have won the award multiple times - there are still doubters who wonder if Steve Nash really deserves to be on it.
Short of an NBA title, there's likely little Nash can do to win over everyone, but an interesting measure of his impact on his team comes when he doesn't play.
Last night the Suns were pasted 105-89 by Orlando. Raptors fans make take pleasure in noting Hedo Turkoglu was 0-of-8 in 28 minutes of work against his other old team, a big reason the Suns shot 16.7 per cent from deep.
But the reality is the Suns always struggle to rise without Nash (a brief pause while I pat himself on the back for my cleverness).
According to my good friends at the Elias Sports Bureau, prior to last night Phoenix was 9-17 since 2004-05 when Nash sits and shoot 45.5 per cent in those games.
With Nash the Suns were 329-148 and shot 49.2 per cent from the floor.
That difference in shooting percentage - 4.6 per cent - is equivalent to the difference between the second-best shooting team in the NBA right now - Atlanta - and the 24th, um, best - that would be your Toronto Raptors.
That is but one example of the Nash Effect.
Another is the struggles of Amare Stoudemire with the New York Knicks. He is a career 54.2 per cent shooter, a total built up on dunks fed by Nash with the Suns. As a Knick Stoudemire is shooting just 47.5 per cent, and this is in Mike D'Antoni system that some suggest is the source of Nash's flashy stats.
More? How about the rise of Hakeem Warrick; the definition of a tweener journeyman before landing with the Suns, though a respectable 49.3 per cent shooter. With the Suns? Through 10 games with Nash he was shooting 62.3 per cent. With Nash out last night Warrick was 1-of-5.
"I'm not surprised, because I've been watching and seeing Steve spoon-feeding guys," Warrick said recently of his good fortune. "Knowing I was coming here, I couldn't wait to get spoon-fed. It makes my job so much easier. If you think you're open, you know he's going to find you."