Nash stars in Suns' solar system

PHOENIX — So this is what greatness looks like.

It's wrapped in a 6-foot-3, 195-pound package of frenetic energy. It's constantly in motion and barks out commands to four players who appear to move in perfect, precise unison.

It wields a basketball in his hands, as if he and the ball were tethered by a string, and plays the game with a unique flair and charismatic appeal that compares favorably with NBA immortals Bob Cousy and Pete Maravich.

But the comparisons do Phoenix guard Steve Nash a disservice because as Ray Allen noted: "Nash is playing at a time when players are so much more physically gifted then they've ever been. And while he may not have those gifts, that's what makes him, in my mind, the best player in the NBA."

Whenever players and coaches toss out accolades like that they tend to look at the schedule to whichever team they're playing next before piling on the praise.

Before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant receives the love. Whenever the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Seattle, LeBron James is anointed king, and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki gets a few verbal bouquets tossed his way every time he plays the Sonics.

And yet, there's something genuine and sincere about the respect Nash receives from peers and opposing coaches.

"I was up early this morning watching tape and I watched him play three games," coach Bob Hill said. "They're talking about him winning the MVP award three years in a row and after watching those games, I agree. He's unbelievable. He's just unbelievable.

"If I lived here, I'd be at every practice and every game watching him play."

Around the league, Phoenix has been renamed Nashville. The Suns' All-Star is leading a basketball revolution. He's changing the perception of the NBA and the way the game is being played much like hoops pioneers Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Michael Jordan.

"Each of those guys implemented their will on the game, taking it from a floor game to above the rim," Sonics guard Earl Watson said. "Nash is doing the same thing, but he's bringing ball movement back into the game."

Added Allen: "They share the ball. There's an unselfishness going on. He understands that as a point guard, it's his job to keep everybody else happy."

That which comes as a second thought to others is second nature to Nash, who puts on a hoops clinic each time he steps on the floor.

This season, Nash ditched the mop hairdo and trimmed his long, brown locks, and he added a potent jump shot to his arsenal, which has strengthened his MVP candidacy.

Entering tonight's game at US Airways Center, he's averaging a career-best 19.9 points, up from 15.5 and 18.8 the past two seasons. Nash is also shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 50.3 percent on three-pointers, both career highs.

"It's almost impossible to put into words how difficult it is to be a point guard and being responsible in getting other guys off while also picking your spots so you can score," Watson said. "But the game comes so easily to him mentally. He sees things before they happen. It seems like he knows who has the best shot on every possession and he makes sure that person takes the shot."

Nash has guided the Suns to a 25-8 record — second-best in the NBA — and put Phoenix on track for a third straight Western Conference finals appearance.

Despite the accolades, awards and a 141-56 record in 2 ½ seasons with Phoenix, Nash is sometimes left out of the who's-the-best-player conversations which usually involve James, Bryant and Nowitzki because many believe Nash's gaudy statistics are a by-product of coach Mike D'Antoni's uptempo offense.

"Nash is the system," Chicago coach Scott Skiles told reporters. "I don't mean to shortchange anybody else, but he's the best basketball player on the face of the earth, in my opinion. I don't think it's even close.

"He can shoot the ball. He can go right or left. He can finish right or left. He has a middle game. He has the best vision in the league. He's probably the best-conditioned player in the league. People may say he's not athletic. What they should say is he's not a great leaper. But everything else athletically he does well. He moves well laterally. He's fast. He has great hand-eye coordination. He pivots on either foot. He has no real offensive weakness. And he is responsible for a style of play. Not many guys are that good."

For nearly a decade the NBA has been searching for the right combination of talent, flamboyance and championship mettle to usher in the next golden age of basketball.

Nash, 32, just might be the leader of the post-Jordan brigade, however, there's one glaring omission from his résumé: no NBA championship.

Said Allen: "In my book, he's one of the greatest players to play the game. But I'm sure in his mind, he probably feels he's got something more to prove."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com