Steve Nash: Three-time MVP?

Bill Russell. Wilt Chamberlain. Larry Bird. Steve Nash?

Most would agree that the Sun's All-Star point guard is hardly in the same class as the three players listed before him. Russell, Chamberlain and Bird are all one-of-a-kind NBA legends whose feats may never be matched. Yet late in the 2006-07 NBA season, Steve Nash has a chance to solidify his status on a list with three Hall of Fame players.

The question that should be on every NBA award voter's mind should be is Steve Nash really this good? Has he had a better three-year stretch than Michael Jordan did from 1990 to 1993? Jordan lost out on his bid for a trio of consecutive MVPs despite leading his team to a three-peat.

Is he better than Magic Johnson was in his prime? How about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Is he even better than current NBA All-Star Tim Duncan?

It is hard to argue that Steve Nash deserves winning a third-straight MVP. It is true that unlike in Jordan and Magic's heyday, there aren't a bustling number of candidates for the awards. Parity and poor management has led to the majority of superstars with the talent and potential to win the award playing on mediocre teams with no realistic championship hopes. And Nash has continued to improve his game, showcasing his best statistics of his career on a very good team.

But that doesn't change the fact that Nash isn't that good.

Nash can't play every position on the floor like Magic could. He can't take over games and win at will like Jordan could. He can't even lock down his man on defense like Duncan can do.

Nash deserves all the credit for the resurgence of the Phoenix Suns. He deserves a spot on the All-NBA first team. He even deserves a spot on the MVP voting short-list.

Just not at number one.

Every player who has won consecutive MVP awards has also won at least NBA championship except for one; Steve Nash. A MVP achieving little success in the playoffs is nothing new. But someone who is perennially in contention for the award needs to be the ultimate winner and competitor. Nash has not proven that he can be that type of player. Not yet.