What if Steve Nash stayed in Dallas?

After I watched Steve Nash and the Suns dispose of Dirk and the Mavs in the 2004-05 Western Conference semis. I was convinced Dirk could never win a championship on any team where he was the best player. In fact, I remember e-mailing the Ticket's Bob Sturm and suggesting the Mavericks trade Dirk for a package deal. He really underwhelmed us in those playoffs with a tough series against the Rockets. Critics were left wondering why Ryan Bowen was able to shut down Dirk? Although Dirk played better in the Phoenix series it just wasn't enough. The doubters arose with their questions. Can Dirk take a team on his shoulders and carry them to the promised land? Is Dirk clutch? Will Dirk ever develop an all around game? etc.

After the Mavericks climbed the NBA's verison of "Mount 12 big ones" last season to reach the NBA finals. Dirk came into last night's game with the Suns the leading MVP candidate. Quite a transformation for a guy who only 2 years earlier I was willing to part with for the rights to Gerald Green and a stick of chewing gum. Who is responsible for Dirk's transformation? Avery Johnson is no doubt about it.

So while all of the internet discussion boards are full of people who think Steve Nash is better off in Phoenix. I can't help but wonder wouldn't Avery have helped Steve to grow as a complete, well rounded player just like he did for Dirk? The average Joe Schmo fan thinks Nash wound up in a better situation with the Suns. On a team better suited to his playing style, with an offensive philosophy catering to his strengths and a supporting cast to carry out the game plan. They also think the Mavericks are better off without Nash sort of a win win scenario. I'm not so sure. Don't let anyone fool you the players play for contracts, but next on the pecking order is a championship. I'm not so sure the Phoenix Suns aren't just a glorified Run TMC only with one incredibly large angry black man in the middle by the name of Amare. I'll ask the same question Randy Galloway did in this morning's Star Telegram, "explain to me the whole losing Nash was a good thing again?"

We all know how hard Avery is on his point guards just ask Devin Harris or Jason Terry. I'd love to see what an equally defensive minded Steve Nash would look like under Avery's guidance. Nellie's Dirk Nowitzki never would of gotten the Mavs past San Antonio last season, but Avery's Dirk Nowitzki did. I always hear people saying "We already saw Dirk and Nash together in Dallas they didn't go anywhere in the playoffs. They're better off apart." Correction we saw Nellie's Dirk and Nash together in Dallas, but never Avery's verison. Under Avery's direction I doubt Nash is your two time reigning MVP, but he might be a reigning NBA champion.

I love my Mavs as currently constructed, but after last night's awesome display by Nashty I couldn't help but wonder. If nothing else it wouldn't of hurt to play keep away from Phoenix. Still I don't blame Cuban for letting Steve go. No one knew he would hold up this well and to a certain extent we just didn't appreciate what we had.



Here's a goofy little video to remember the Nash and Dirk years by

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Phoenix 129 Dallas 127 (2OT)

The Mavericks came into the game the NBA's best free throw shooting team, but would not leave with the distinction. With 32.7 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard went on to combine for three critical missed free throws. Probably more costly was the dumb foul Josh Howard committed on Steve Nash's three point attempt with 14.4 seconds left. The missed free throws and silly foul let Phoenix back into the game which after two overtime sessions they eventually won. The Mavs loss in double OT also let Phoenix back into the fight for the best record in the Western Conference and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

While the Mavs surely disappointed, the game itself did not. These two NBA heavyweights traded blows back and forth in one of the more entertaining games this season. The 1st quarter belonged to the Suns. They took advantage of Dallas' porous defense for easy baskets and a ridiculous 22-4 edge in points in the paint. The Mavs got their wheels back on in the 2nd quarter and started attacking the rim. They took control of the quarter and closed the half with a Jason Terry to Jerry Stackhouse alley oop. It was a nice play and gave you the feeling maybe the 60-53 deficit wasn't so terrible.

The Mavs backed up my suspicions with an outstanding 3rd quarter. They managed to hold Phoenix to just 16 points while tallying a season high 38 points themselves in the third. It was really beautiful to watch the way they defended and operated in the open floor. Avery must have noticed a tendency on the Suns pick & roll because he had the Mavs sagging off Nash and back onto the screener. They jumped the passing lane and 2 or 3 times it produced a steal. The Mavs really moved the ball well and found the open man. They closed the 3rd quarter up 91-76, but you knew it wasn't a safe lead. The Suns opened the 4th quarter by converting 10 of their first 11 shots. I couldn't of been the only MFFL out there suffering from flashbacks of the 2004-05 Western Conference semi-finals everytime Amare Stoudemire threw down a monstrous dunk. Dallas was answering Phoenix every step of the way and as the game was drawing to a close it looked like the Suns were going to run out of time. Of course, missed free throws and a senseless foul from Howard gave Steve Nash and the Suns all the life they needed. Nash tied the game at 111-111 with a second chance 3 from the right wing and only seconds remaining in the fourth. Dirk was unable to redeem himself with a last second game winner the way he had the last time these two teams met at the AAC back on Dec. 28th.

Phoenix rode Stoudemire in both overtime periods. Jason Terry provided some brief hope with a clutch three as time was expiring for the Mavericks in the first overtime. In the end, it was just too much Stoudemire and too much Nash. Pause for concern definitely has to be generated by the 41 points Amare Stoudemire scored off of 16 for 19 shooting from the field. Before I send too many Mavs fans jumping completely overboard here's a fun fact. As these two teams look destined to face each other in a rematch of the Western Conference finals. I draw comfort from the Mavs record against Phoenix in their last 7 regular season meetings.... 4-3

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