Steve Nash: Greatest Shooter in NBA History? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FanIn80 · 01-13-2011, 01:36 AM

He just racked up another 23pt 16a night. In the process, he went 11-11 from the free throw line... bumping his career avg to 90.4%, which now makes him the most accurate free throw shooter of all-time.

But that's not all...

He's on pace this year for his 5th 50-40-90 season of his career. How impressive is that? Only 5 players in NBA history have done it once, and only Larry Bird has done it twice. Steve Nash is on the verge of doing it for a 5th time in 6 years. He missed out on 5 consecutive years by a single free-throw in 06/07 (he finished 53-45-89.99).

Finally...

Nash is 1% shy of a career 50-40-90 average, as stat that is completely unheard of. He is sitting at 49-43-90 after a 15 year career.

Best shooter ever? I think a case can be made.

Quote:

The 50–40–90 Club is an informal term referring to the very exclusive group of National Basketball Association (NBA) players who have had a shooting percentage at or above 50% for field goals, 40% for three-point field goals, and 90% for free throws during an entire NBA season while also achieving the NBA league minimum number of makes in each category. 50–40–90 indicates a great all-around shooting performance and is considered as the ultimate standard for shooters.

FlamingLonghorn · 01-13-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

He just racked up another 23pt 16a night. In the process, he went 11-11 from the free throw line... bumping his career avg to 90.4%, which now makes him the most accurate free throw shooter of all-time.

But that's not all...

He's on pace this year for his 5th 50-40-90 season of his career. How impressive is that? Only 5 players in NBA history have done it, and only Larry Bird has done it more than once. He did it twice. Steve Nash is on the verge of doing it 5 times.

Finally...

Nash is 1% shy of a career 50-40-90 average, as stat that is completely unheard of. He is sitting at 49-43-90 after a 15 year career.

Best shooter ever? I think a case can be made.

I would still take Bird over Nash if I was picking a player to build around, but Nash is severely underrated in his place in history probably due to his failure to win a championship. If the Suns would have given Joe Johnson his modest raise that would have probably been different. I am glad they didn't as Johnson is on my favorite team (he also is the 3rd best shooting guard in the NBA so his contract doesn't bother me too much), and also I hope the Suns and Hawks can work something out and get him to Atlanta. Nash, Johnson, Smith and Horford running the fast break is a dream.

troutman · 01-13-2011, 09:33 AM

I hear Nash is going to the Lakers?

FanIn80 · 01-13-2011, 10:08 AM

Man, I wish they'd let him go to a contender.

Jason14h · 01-13-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Man, I wish they'd let him go to a contender.

I don't think it's an issue of him not being allowed, but rather whether he wants to leave.

flames_1987 · 01-13-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I don't think it's an issue of him not being allowed, but rather whether he wants to leave.

I don't know what he's said this year that would indicate he's not open to a trade or that he really wants to stay in Phoenix with the direction this team is headed. I don't think there's anyway Nash would pass up a chance to play for a contender, then stay with a rebuilding Phoenix team.

I don't see him going to the Lakers, as mentioned above. The triangle offense just wasn't created with a point guard like Steve Nash in mind.

tendulkar23 · 01-13-2011, 06:38 PM

Don't know if I would consider Nash one of the best shooter's in history. Nash usually takes the shot when it's wide open and he has the best opportunity to score. On the other hand, players like Jordan and Bryant shot the ball on a much more consistent basis with plenty of hands in their faces. Bird definitely had a better shot from the games I've seen, simply because he took the tough shots.

Nash is no doubt the best free throw shooter in history. The man is automatic from the line.

SebC · 01-13-2011, 11:11 PM

At first I was thought you had gone mad, then I read the body of your post. You make a good case.

flames_1987 · 01-13-2011, 11:16 PM

Speaking of the greatest Canadian basketball player of all time, if the Suns do trade him this season, who do you think the suitors are?

FlamingLonghorn · 01-14-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Speaking of the greatest Canadian basketball player of all time, if the Suns do trade him this season, who do you think the suitors are?

Knicks and Hawks are the contenders for his services I think. Obviously D'antonio and Stoudemire make the Knicks attractive to him, but I think he would also like to play with possibly the most athletic team in the NBA.

I would like to add that if the knicks offer Felton than I don't think the Hawks could do anything without over paying which i don't want.

merlin · 01-14-2011, 09:24 AM

I was in Miami a couple of years ago and was lucky enough to see the Suns play the Heat and I have to say I was really impressed how good Nash was. During warm ups, while most of the players talked to celebrities, He went about his business and he didn't miss a shot. On TV he looks like a small guy but I was suprised that we were the same height. He went on to play an average game but he didnt miss a free throw. I think he is one of the best shooters in history but you cant compare him to the greats like Bird or Jordan cause he was never in a real clutch game.

billybob123 · 01-16-2011, 07:30 AM

Just goes to show what practicing free throws will do. I'm constantly shocked by how bad some bball players are at free throws - it shows they never practice (or they have some weird hand issues, but whatever).

Look at the all-time percentages - Peja Stojakovic is up there and he's a big man (the guys who rarely have good pct). Kevin Durant (even though he's only been in the league 3 years) as a power forward.

I know FTs aren't exactly glamorous but that's what wins you games.

secol · 01-17-2011, 08:34 AM

to be honest i don't blame shaq, but dwight howard is the same height as durant.....however i'm sure he (and all other NBA players) practice FT's but some players can just shoot them better (just like how players all differ in how skilled they are)

FanIn80 · 02-16-2011, 11:21 AM

Update: Nash is now well on his way to his 4th consecutive 50-40-90 season (and 5th of his career). He's currently sitting at 52.1-41.1-91.6, and is averaging 16.9 PPG with 11.3 APG.

He's also 5th in the league in double-doubles, and the only PG in the top 5.

Oh yeah... he's also 37 years old.

united · 02-16-2011, 03:18 PM

Not shooting related, but last night Steve Nash passed Gary Payton for 7th all-time on the NBA's career assists list.

Nash, by the way, also leads the NBA with 34 double-digits assists this season and his 31 double-doubles is the most among NBA guards. But he's not an All-Star. Go figure.
http://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/2/1...ard-moves-into