Despite Shaquille O’Neal’s Bold Claims, Suns Legend Disagrees on Complicated 2006 NBA Decision

Shaquille O’Neal said that he deserved three MVP awards. The 4x NBA champion won his first and only MVP title in the year 2000. However, surprisingly, despite notching up his best for the Miami Heat, O’Neal lost the coveted title to Phoenix Suns legend, Steve Nash. Even after O’Neal averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during his debut year with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, Nash ended up stealing the spotlight by claiming the 2004–05 MVP with his impressive game. The next season, the Suns point guard pulled off a repeat and won his second straight MVP award.

Shutting down the debate started by Shaq, Nash’s former teammate Amar’e Stoudemire recently shared his stance on the matter. He explained Nash’s skills to lead the Suns to the Western Conference Finals without much support from him, as he was sidelined for his injury. During his latest appearance in the ‘Bootleg Kev’ show, Stoudemire shared, “I think what happened was because that second year I was injured and Nash still was able to propel the team to a 60-win season or 58…without the leading scorer leading rebounder leader.” STAT further added, “I think that’s why he was able to win that MVP, that second one.”

While the Big Diesel has never been able to accept his defeat, he has even openly mentioned his disappointment with it. It seems Nash’s former teammate just gave us another reason to look back at the early 2000s. 

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Shaquille O’Neal didn’t take his defeat lightly

While Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki claimed the third spot, Nash stole Shaq’s first position by 34 points. Despite being a strong contender for the trophy, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t mince his words after narrowly missing out on one of his major accolades. 

He even went as far as to hilariously mock Nash’s playing style. “It Was This Little, Good-Looking, David Beckham Little Guy Running Around Like a Gnat. [Nash] would beat me out in the MVP voting every year,” O’Neal later said about his opponent’s game.

In his book “Shaq Uncut,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend wrote that the reason Nash did not secure a championship was because of not being a dominant force. He even mentioned the former Suns player lacked the same level of aggression as him. Over the years, Shaq has stood by this opinion. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below.

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