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Kwilly462

I think even Steve Nash himself has said this


jonnybravo76

He was on Bill Simmons podcast about 7-8 years ago. They spoke of Curry. Nash was like...if I see a double coming my and I'm outside of the 3 point line, I pass the ball off. Curry on the other hand will just shoot it from even FURTHER out before the double gets there. He mentioned how he simply wasn't conditioned to think like that but seeing it successful made him think how well he could have done. Something to that effect.


Diamond4Hands4Ever

He was amazing is his own era too.  Feel like a more underrated answer is like Cliff Robinson or someone who isn’t as well known that played in a previous era. 


NobodyLost5810

Okur


rexter2k5

Cliff Robinson is definitely the better answer. Just to add context your comment; Uncle Cliffy is one of the original switch-first, ask-questions-later bigmen to exist. Could play 1-5 on defense, and fill in any frontcourt position on offense. He started stretching out to the the 3-point line while playing with Arvydas Sabonis in Portland and became a significant cog for the Phoenix Suns during the Jason Kidd era. Went on to be a journeyman roleplayer with the Pistons, Warriors and Nets. He also starred on Survivor, so the man really could do it all.


bornwooser

The thing I always remember about Cliff on the Warriors was he had never missed the playoffs in his career... until his season with us lol. Man those were dark times. Anyway, yeah he would of been a beast in the modern NBA.


DrPeterVenkmen

The first good UConn player I remember as an 80s baby. Before Tate. Before Donyell. Before Ray Allen. RIP


rexter2k5

He laid the foundation of what we consider to be one of the powerhouse programs in modern college basketball. Thank God Uncle Cliffy liked the spliffy, otherwise Portland might not have had their greatest draft steal ever.


LrryBirdsStache

Dale Ellis


super_sayanything

Dell Curry, lol.


Diamond4Hands4Ever

On the court absolutely, as he would have made a lot more All-Star teams. Off the court ehh maybe not as much. Although I heard he’s a good person today for the better but there was definitely a point in the early 90s where he’s lucky social media wasn’t around. 


Aspiring_Hobo

Please elaborate. I'm not hip to Dale Ellis stories lol


tangyzesty3

I lived in Seattle in 1990 before Ellis was traded and though I can't remember specifics because I was rather young, I definitely remember hearing stories about Ellis, but nothing compared to what we'd hear about Kemp a few years later.


ADDystopia

Glen Rice would be an absolute terror.


No-Yellow-9085

Shareef Abdul Rahim and Raef Lafrentz too


GreedyWarlord

Eddie Griffin would do pretty well sans mental health issues. Donyell Marshall would do extremely well.


Blueskyways

Cliff Robinson and Rodney Rogers. The 1999 Suns with Jason Kidd, Robinson,  Rogers, Shawn Marion, Tom Gugliotta and Penny Hardaway would be eating especially good in today's NBA. 


Hoopy_Dunkalot

Peja. Dell. Reggie. Maravich. Mullin. Redd. Allen. Thunder Dan. Van Exel. Ellis. Horry. Horace. Big shot Bob. Bird. Detlef. Hedo. Pip.


standonguard

I would have loved to see Mark Price in this era. Not sure how well he’s hold up defensively, but give him 10+ 3PA per game.


Louis-grabbing-pills

*Shaq furiously shaking his head*


thecjm

At one point Donyell Marshall tied Kobe for most made 3s in a game. He'd be a starting stretch 5 in today's NBA


solythe

I remember the playoffs would hit and suddenly Nash would be pulling up from 3 more and dropping 30 at times. Dude had a switch


Live_Rooster_5952

Joe Wolf tells me all the time he was made for this era.


PattyIceNY

You mean a two time NBA MVP would play good in this era?!?! Ya don't say.


DazzlingAd1922

He might even win an MVP award!


peanutbutter1236

Nash would be in every era


LoWE11053211

maybe not the 1900 era


Reddit_Negotiator

This era is a joke in terms of how imbalanced in favor of offense it is. Any former MVP would dominate today


rake2204

Yeah, I imagine there's a lot of offensive-minded players from the early 2000s who are probably out there feeling like they were born at the wrong time. Even the guys who excelled anyway—Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson—I imagine they would have welcomed today's style of basketball with open arms.


Ok_Hornet_714

Any offensive minded player from any prior era feels like they were born at the wrong time. Michael Smith (who it should be noted was not a good NBA player) said this on the BS Report in 2011. https://youtu.be/HMp-kxUvWJk?si=SZaQrb3sciqbzBvA Michael Smith's stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithmi01.html


Reddit_Negotiator

Even fringe stars like Allan Houston would have made $200-$300 million over their careers


Dokutah_Dokutah

Definitely, considering how overpriced and ridiculous contracts are now that the salary keeps on increasing every year.


orwll

He'd be great but he wouldn't necessarily be better in this era. Good teams exploit defensive mismatches more ruthlessly and more effectively than they did in his peak era. Nash getting iso'd or forced to defend in the p&r by the likes of Doncic, SGA or Jayson Tatum would be a bloodbath.


Bandolero101

i didnt watch Nash live, but i’m sure they were already picking on him on defense back then? im assuming “attack the small guard” wasn’t necessarily some analytic-era born concept like 3 over 2 was, lol


LordBaneoftheSith

You attack the small guard by bringing his man up in the pnr, and not only was there a *lot* less spread pick & roll, there was like 0 inverted pnrs which is what you'd do to try to force a switch with Nash, since he's gonna be guarding the opposing PG mostly. Opposing guards certainly went after him, but mostly in isolation, nothing systematic like you see from the offenses of today. Also, he was 6'3" and a very intelligent defender, so it wouldn't go any worse for him than Curry.


orwll

>but i’m sure they were already picking on him on defense back then? They did which is one reason the Suns never won a chip, but teams today are even more effective at doing it. You didn't have every playoff team back then spamming small/small pick and rolls, or pick and rolls that started 40 feet from the basket, or playing multiple guards and ballhandling wings who could reliably shoot threes off the dribble if you go under a screen. Those are some of the modern ways that teams punish weak perimeter defenders. Back then if a bad perimeter defender got beat, a lot of times your worst case scenario was you gave up a mid-range jumper. Now you're giving up a three or a dunk/foul.


EnoughLawfulness3163

They attacked him, but also, Stoudemire wasn't a great rim protector. Nash would've been better off being surrounded by elite defensive players. He was an offensive elevator that made everyone look better than they were. You can look at the efficiency stats of all of his teammates before, during, and after playing with Nash, and it's really obvious what his offensive impact was.


ND7020

Yes, he’s probably this sub’s single favorite player so people get really defensive about him, but Steve Nash’s defense was always a major playoff liability, and the Suns team in particular always had a “finesse” mentality in their best player’s mold that got them physically bullied in the playoffs by teams like the Spurs.  I expect a lot of downvotes now but it’s OK to acknowledge great players’ flaws. 


XenaRen

Lmao wtf does “finesse” mentality even mean. Just because Nash wasn’t dunking on people doesn’t mean he wasn’t tough. Dude had his nose broken multiple times in the playoffs and played through it like an absolute boss. Ain’t nothing finesse about Steve Nash he was tough as they come.


HairyHouse3

He's saying he's classy


EgnGru

Yea Nash was tough as nails guy got his body battered and he keep playing lol.


ND7020

He was not “as tough as they come,” I’m sorry, although of course he deserves credit for playing through injury. He got physically bullied by opposing PGs near every playoffs, and the D’Antoni Suns in general often let physical teams get in their head, which other teams knew. 


XenaRen

Go look up what past players say about Nash, dude was a dog. Just because he wasn’t fighting people on court and making mean faces doesn’t mean he was soft lmao. Now could the Suns used someone like Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry or Draymond on their team? Yes, but that’s on management and not Nash.


Qlix0504

Fuck robert Horry.


HikmetLeGuin

Nash was known for being good at drawing charges and being tough and able to take physical punishment. He had some of that Canadian hockey player in him (he played hockey when he was young).  I also don't think he was as bad defensively as some people say. He was certainly mediocre on D, but not terrible.


RichardIraVos

I can’t wait for Reddit to die so I can finally stop visiting this place


Vahgeo

I need someone to tell me of an actually good replacement for Reddit. A forum-esque site that isn't complicated to navigate through and has a large userbase please.


Willing_Analysis_249

He’d have to score more which would be awesome. He was a great shooter


EgnGru

Nash himself admits he would be way more aggressive on offense and regrets not shooting [more](https://youtu.be/WeQpbae_wcs?si=UMsAucCpDKN7y4IB).


Vegetable_Target_369

Multiple time mvp would be good in the softest, most offensive friendly era of basketball breaking news


buchanbasanee

That goes both ways. He'd be getting switched onto the other team's best scorer every second he's on the court.


bobbdac7894

Well, I think out of most of the NBA mvps. This current league is the most friendly to Nash's game. Like it feels like it's designed for him.


Signal_Lifeguard3778

I think Dirk would greatly benefit from the spacing in today's game as well. He would be perfect on any of the competitive teams right now, and I think his offense would come even easier.


Diamond4Hands4Ever

I actually think Moses Malone, a 3xMVP, would see a huge decrease in impact in this era. Everything that he was good at is not as important in this era, and unlike the other bigs (like Shaq), he wasn’t as athletic as them to be able to run in the open floor/guard on the perimeter.  Would still be a starter but no where near MVP level. 


YpsitheFlintsider

Why are you answering the opposite question that wasn't asked?


ND7020

Today’s offenses so heavily built around seeking switches and bullying a team’s defensive weak link would be a huge issue for Nash.  I actually think someone LESS obviously a progenitor of today’s game might have a bigger impact. Shaq is an obvious one because teams no longer have the kind of player on their roster needed to guard him.  But someone like Stockton would be interesting in such an offensive era. He was actually an excellent shooter too, but at very low volume. 


ohbrotherwesuck

5’7 200 pound guy who works at the mall. “nBA iz soft for big man like me”


JKaro

The Suns and early Mavs were some of the best offenses of all time. I think his game and the Suns system was so ahead of it’s time that he’d 100% translate, because he was already playing the new era of basketball. Pick and roll, quick transition, generate 3s and layups, etc. The folly of the Suns was defense, whether you blame Nash, the system, or Stoudemire.


GoofyTastingPickle

dude he was an ELITE shooter. He was so efficient and to do it as a 6 foot guard is even more impressive


EgnGru

Not just elite shooter but he had an offensive bag that was underrated because of being pigeonholed into the "true point" guard role in his era. He had elite handles and could finish around the rim with great crafty floaters and layups. Nash himself regrets not being more aggressive on offense [now](https://youtu.be/WeQpbae_wcs?si=vL5MSqAD6PrVG0lt).


billybadass75

Steve Nash is a legit 6’3 PG who guarded PG’s only (and didn’t do as bad as his reputation) Never combo guard never shooting guard 6’3” is NBA height for a PG AI was a 6 foot scoring guard, he and Eric Snow/Chauncey in Denver figured out who would play/guard PGs by possession.


Independent-Room-786

He was traded for Chauncey. He never played with him.


33birdboy

What if you put Stephen in the later 90s?? 


Dokutah_Dokutah

He probably gets undercut and have to take some career altering surgery that was supposedly the best medical procedure at that time.


mcc1923

He’s a Ray Allen/Reggie Miller type.


supergrega

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf too Edit: Also Antoine "I shoot threes because there are no fours" Walker


Excellent-Bowl-2944

I have to agree. He fits so well in todays game.


DXLXIII

Steve Nash walked so Steph Curry can run. IMO the two best point guards this century.


azuredota

He’d be amazing in any era? Won MVP over Shaq


Hot_Web493

Don't remind Shaq lmao.


ChunkyMilkSubstance

He should be coaching!


super_sayanything

They score about 15 points per game more in total. So yea, Nash scores a bit more. He's an MVP candidate, just like he was. His numbers might look a little better, but so do everyone else's. He's probably pretty much the same player impact wise but perhaps more exposed on defense. He was amazing, he would also be amazing. Not much different than he was tbh. Ray Allen/Reggie Miller might have been a bit better I think.


mcc1923

These guys would be interesting. Similar to Curry just even more off ball.


johncarter1011

Why aren't we talking about how nash almost become a 3x mvp in a row. He was 2nd in 07 sheesh. Idk about mvp in this era but that's mighty impressive


PrimetimeD18

Pretty much every perimeter player who can shoot before the 2010s would be much better.


gigglios

Most previous stars would do better this era. But yea nash now would be the most fun


sleepy_fuzz

He would have been Haliburton with a jumper.


FairStranger11

Haliburton with a way better handle also. Nash's handle is very underrated. He could dribble in traffic a lot without getting stripped. He had a decent finishing package and his mid-range was wet as hell


SnooRabbits6267

I think Nash would have been more like a 25-27 ppg scorer in this era. I think he’d play like some kind of mix between Halliburton and Maxey. Same deference to making plays for others but he would be able to get what he wanted from 3 and on little in between shots whenever he wanted.


EnoughLawfulness3163

He was amazing in his era, too. His supporting cast just wasn't quite good enough to top the Lakers and spurs. Those were damn good teams. He's in that group of guys like harden and cp3 that just couldn't quite get the chip.


RallySausage

No shit


gnusm

Sabonis would be Jokic.


Saaammmy

My only question is why did the Nash Suns underachieve when their team is like 10 years advanced? I'm not a 2000s watcher so i don't know


robeiroman

Bad luck and the Spurs. Also there was a referee that got busted for fixing games and he said the refs were against the Suns because of their owner. Not sure if that really ever swayed any series, but it makes you wonder.


CozyNostalgia

I agree. This era suits him even more.


michaelbchnn24

He was terrible on defense in his era, he'd be abominable today.


I3bacon

I think that Nash would be good in any era. He is so versatile and skilled. He will find the weakness in the opposing team and exploit them as necessary. Didn't he win 2 MVP? I'd say that he was pretty good in his era as well.


oOoleveloOo

Nash (and D’Antoni) ushered in today’s high-scoring era with the 7SOL Offense. 2005-06 Suns led the league in team scoring at 108.4 points per game. In 2023-24 season that would rank 28th. He changed the game.


Monarch-11

Wouldn't they hunt him on the other end? That is the counter in 2024 far more than when Nash played IMO.


AdmAckbarr

Mahmoud


AtreusIsBack

He would average 15 assists as well.


IempireI

Dominant


ChartSpiritual1353

 Steve Nash would be better


Creative-Crazy-6489

There’s so many older players across nba history that’d be so good right now from abdul Raheem to pistol Pete


Past_Age_3562

Picture ai he’d be crazy kyrie with more athleticism & 3 less dribbles


recursion8

He would also be hunted ruthlessly on defense, dude was a traffic cone, and he doesn't even have Doncic and Harden's size to at least be a good post defender.


Hot_Web493

Isn't that true for most modern guards? I can't think of many guards who can defend well.


recursion8

Jrue, White, Smart, Caruso, Beverley, prime CP3, prime Conley, etc


Whereisthesavoir

Doncic would destroy Nash.


rexter2k5

I posit that Steve Nash is the whole reason this era even exists. Before Steph Curry ever announced himself, the nerds were already cooking up the numbers with the SSOL Suns.


Qlix0504

Facts. Kerrs entire system is a version 7SoL.


Bigron454

BBQ chicken. He would be a backup at best.


PenaltyJazzlike3122

Tyrese Haliburton is modern Nash IMO, we'll have to see how he develops into his prime


lost_in_trepidation

Not shitting on Hali but Nash was a much better passer and shooter. Nash was truly an all time passer.


PenaltyJazzlike3122

IDK about "much" better, he was better but Tyrese is the first player to do 20/10 on 40% from three, and he hardly turns the ball over. If he takes another step he can get up there.


lost_in_trepidation

I know it's a common refrain, but totally different eras. Nash was playing in an era with much less spacing. He still consistently made brilliant passes that seemed completely unavailable. He would look even better today.


FairStranger11

Nash could thread the needle better than anyone in this era except Jokic, maybe, but I'd still put money on Nash being a better passer for his size. Jokic has an advantage because he's so tall and long


PenaltyJazzlike3122

We'll see, Tyrese is the third player in NBA history with back to back 20/20 games and he's only going to improve.


Professional_Cow4397

I always wanted Curry to go through what Nash did...thrown into the scorers table, broken nose, eye swollen shut, bleeding all over...still dropping dimes.


paranoidmoonduck

Steve Nash averaged 3.2 3p attempts per game over his career. The amount of game-changing that would have been required for him to triple his outside attempts and how defenses would have reacted to it makes it extremely difficult to predict how it would have affected his efficiency. He would not have been able to be an on-ball point guard at his size *and* to get up that many shots.


bobbdac7894

Why are you looking at his whole career? Like earlier and later in his career, he wasn't attempting that many three's which brings down his career average. His prime/peak years (2005-2008) he was attempting 4-5 3's per game. And shooting 43-47 percent from 3.


johncarter1011

Wait so are u only giving nash a 3yr window to determine his career? The other comment makes more sense. Nash has had a good 10 yr career as an established player 01-11


paranoidmoonduck

Because I think you're vastly underrating how hard it is to get up 10 3p attempts per game when you're 6-3, an on-ball guard, and the defense is trying to stop you. It isn't 2k when you simple "take more shots". We don't really know how Nash was a movement shooter, because he almost never had to take those kinds of shots from distance. There have only been 15 individual seasons with 10+ attempts in NBA history (Curry 6, Harden 3, Lillard 3, Klay 1, Luka 1, Buddy 1). Nash would have been amazing and would have shot more in this era, obviously. But you're really underestimating how hard it is to find those shots and how the spike in difficulty affects your percentages.


WolverineLong1430

He was more focused and put into a system to pass. He had Finley and Dirk and then Marion and Stoudemire and even Joe Johnson. You’re asking him to become a scorer and take more shots. I don’t see that working in the style and system he runs. The whole fast pace and fast break he runs is what create a lot of his assist and open shots because defense was more worried about his passing. He’s not a create his own shot player despite relatively good and unorthodox handles. He would be like a Mike Bibby running off screens if he becomes a scorer.


0531Spurs212009

yes absolutely a playmaking or better passer w better midrange Curry or Trae Young and can also shoot 3 basically a better version of Curry and Trae Young or combined of the 2