Nash seems to have almost single-handedly turned around this Phoenix franchise. His offensive stats are Stockton-like. Has he surpassed Jason Kidd as the number one playmaker in the game today? Discuss.
Yes, he has. Jason Kidd hasen't played this well since 2 years ago. Steve Nash is now the better player and he makes his teamates better. Nash turned around this franchise that was playing bad last year and is making them contenders. He is a playmaker and is better than Kidd.
Steve "Hair Canada" Nash, has lit it up this year and has been playing great so far as of this season he is going to lead the league in assists hands down, Kidd isnt going to come anywhere near his assist #'s because Nash has Amare, Matrix, JJ and Q to score off of his amazing passes and all Kidd has is RJ and Eric Williams on good days.
Nash may be better at the moment...but he won't ever surpass Kidd as far as career achievements go, whether it's Kidd's triple-doubles or his on-the-money passes that were much cleaner and faster than Nash's.
Jason Kidd hands down is the greatest point guard in the game today. What Steve Nash has accomplished thus far this season is truly remarkable, and The Suns have gotten off to a fantastic start, but I think alot of people have written off Kidd while he's out on injury. Compare last year's statistics, because certainly that's the only fair way to do compare and contrast since Kidd has yet to step foot on the hardwood this season: Jason Kidd: 6.40 RPG - 9.2 APG - 1.82 SPG - 15.5 PPG Steve Nash: 3 RPG - 8.8 APG - .86 SPG - 14.5 PPG Obviously the edge statisticly goes to Jason Kidd, however Nash has shown steady improvement playing in Phoenix, but who's to say those numbers will hold up with nearly 70 games remaining in the young NBA season. Kidd on the other hand is perhaps the most consistant point guard year in and year out. Every year he's on top of the league in assists, he's always the best defensive point guard, he's always helping his teammates improve and excel (just ask K-Mart, Kittles, and Jefferson). He took the Nets to the championship twice, something Nash could not even accomplish with four other all-stars on his team. My opinion, Kidd is still hands down the best all around point guard in the league today. Nash can't touch him on defense, he hasn't led and taken a team to the heights Kidd has, and he's yet to put together an entire season in which his statistics have surpassed Jasons. Nash still has alot of proving to do the way I see things. He can start out by erasing his reputation as a liability on defense...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Nash may be better at the moment...but he won't ever surpass Kidd as far as career achievements go, whether it's Kidd's triple-doubles or his on-the-money passes that were much cleaner and faster than Nash's.</div> I agree with realdealbneal, Nash is pretty damn good but Kidd was all about quality.
In my opinion, Nash is a MUCH better offensive player in half-court than Kidd, and Kidd is slightly better on fast breaks. Of course, Kidd is leagues beyond Nash when it comes to rebounding and defense, but as far as playmaking goes I think Nash has the upper hand at this point.
When Kidd is healthy he puts up triple-doubles almost every other game! Kidd is a better defensive player then Nash, while Nash has a better offensive game. If your talking about who is better in their prime, Kidd or Nash you have to go with Kidd, when he was in his prime he was averageing 19 while still dishing out 9 dimes per game. If your going to go by last years stats (because Kidd hasn't played this year) Nash averaged less turnovers then Kidd (2.68 vs. 3.19) which is a big part of playmaking. You can make an point that Stephon Marbury may be up there with Kidd and Nash for one of the best play makers in the league, he always seems to put up some big assit numbers. It's weird because all of those players at one point played for the Suns
Marbury isn't considered as good a playmaker because when you watch him you realize he's a ball hawk, always has it in his hands, you're bound to get assists, but he's good, but maybe just a little below Nash and Kidd.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Marbury isn't considered as good a playmaker because when you watch him you realize he's a ball hawk, always has it in his hands, you're bound to get assists, but he's good, but maybe just a little below Nash and Kidd.</div> But for someone who always has the ball in his hands, he's incredibly good at limiting his turnovers.
Nash has so far, but we have not seen if Kidd still has his abilty to make plays, but I don't get why Nash is averaging more assists with the Suns but the Mavs had better scorers on theur team?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">Nash has so far, but we have not seen if Kidd still has his abilty to make plays, but I don't get why Nash is averaging more assists with the Suns but the Mavs had better scorers on theur team?</div> I think that the Suns have a greater ability to finish around the basket, and Nash usually runs the break. This higher FG% will lead to more assists. If your team doesn't make shots, you don't get your assist. We saw this a lot with Kidd who got it to RJ or Martin who were running the court or cutting toward the basket, and with Kittles, who was usually setup with an open jumper. Also, the Mavs had people who could create shots for themselves, more easily than the Suns did, so the ball did not necessarily have to run through Nash. When Nash has the ball with the Suns, the game becomes much easier for them..
Jason Kidd still has the edge over Steve Nash. Both are great passers and playmakers, along with making their teammates better. Nash is the better shooter, but what seperates Jason Kidd from Nash is his playmaking ability on defense. Jason Kidd is a superior defender and rebounder, which allows him to push the break and get his teammates involved. As far as the success of the Suns, don't let last year's record fool you. This team was loaded with talent last season, but they were devastated by injuries, the main one being to Amare. The Suns have reloaded this year and are playing great basketball, but they have also been healthy. As good as Nash is he has never led a team to the Finals ala Jason Kidd, who did three times with the Nets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Jason Kidd still has the edge over Steve Nash. Both are great passers and playmakers, along with making their teammates better. Nash is the better shooter, but what seperates Jason Kidd from Nash is his playmaking ability on defense. Jason Kidd is a superior defender and rebounder, which allows him to push the break and get his teammates involved. As far as the success of the Suns, don't let last year's record fool you. This team was loaded with talent last season, but they were devastated by injuries, the main one being to Amare. The Suns have reloaded this year and are playing great basketball, but they have also been healthy. As good as Nash is he has never led a team to the Finals ala Jason Kidd, who did three times with the Nets.</div> Two times with the Nets, I believe, plus that was in a VERY weak Eastern conference. You could argue that Dallas was actually better than the Nets those two years. Dallas had 60 and 57 wins in a loaded West, whereas the Nets had 52 and 49 wins in a weak East.
Yes two (typo), but regardless of conference strength Jason Kidd took the Nets from worst to first and into the Finals. He then showed it was not a fluke by taking the team to the Finals the following year. Dallas might have had more wins in the better conference, but they also had a much better team. The Nets also swept the Celtics and Pistons on their way to meet the Spurs in 2002-03 season, led by Kidd.
There is one thing you guys forgot to factor in with the comparison of the two players. How much of an offensive weapon each player is. Steve Nash can flat out destroy Jason Kidd when it comes to one on one. Check out Nash's FG%, 3PFG%, and FT%. Career wise here are the numbers 46.8-40.2, 41.6-42.5, 89.1-78. All those numbers favor Nash. Nash bar none wins hands down.
Nash is playing absolutely ridiculous ball... does he think he's on the PlayStation? 18 assists, 17 assists... we haven't seen those numbers for a while, even when Jason was around. But he's 30 and he won't surpass Kidd in terms of achievements such as triple doubles, all defensive teams.
