via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The four-time NBA winner won the MVP award in 2000. It was his only MVP prize. The fact that Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns beat Shaquille O’Neal to win the championship is still strange since O’Neal played very well for the Miami Heat.
Nash beat out O’Neal to win the 2004–05 MVP trophy, even though O’Neal scored 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his first season with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.
Following up on his win as MVP a year earlier, the Suns’ point guard matched the feat the following year.
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Amar’e Stoudemire, an American-born Israeli professional basketball coach and former player, recently talked to Bootleg Kev about how Steve Nash won the NBA MVP award instead of Shaquille O’Neal because of unfortunate chance.
Amar’e Stoudemire started with his injury. He said, “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 win season. Without his main, without the leading scorer, leading rebounder leader.”
Amar’e Stoudemire continued and talked about further reasons.
He mentioned, “You know I think was the best record in the NBA at the time. That is a lot to be said and so I think that’s why he was able to win that MVP. That second one because he was able to like withstand his number one guy out and still being the top team in the league.”
A statement from Shaquille O’Neal about Steve Nash’s MVP victory
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As soon as Shaquille O’Neal slipped into the Miami Heat’s plush red and black uniforms, he made an immediate impression. His play with Dwyane Wade was important in the team’s 17-game victory margin, up from the previous season.
Although his averages dipped that year, ‘The Big Aristotle‘ averaged 23 points, 10 boards, and roughly 3 blocks per game. In contrast, Steve Nash joined the Phoenix Suns that year and led them to 62 wins and the West’s top seed.
Despite Shaq’s best efforts, the Canadian superstar would go on to win the normal season MVP award. The 34-point margin of victory was the narrowest in the history of the award. The former Laker had publicly criticized the decision, calling Nash the MVP for “compassion“.
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Below the post, O’Neal actually commented, saying, “and Miami won the chip what Phoenix do?” Drawing parallels between the Suns’ playoff failures and his 2006 co-championship with Dwyane Wade.
Read More: Shaquille O’Neal Lives Up to His Not-a-Celebrity Status in America’s Chocolate State
