Player of the D.A.Y.
A word about chumps.
This could have been so easy, but Steve Nash had to go out and pick up 21 assists with 1 turnover against one of the better teams in the East. Sigh and shaking head. Jason Kidd had a triple double, scored in the 20s, and locked down Ben Gordon. Not to mention he’s in the spotlight for off-court stuff and the NY Post is speaking to his Ex (or babymama, if you will), with whom he had a child 13 years ago. I already split this award for Kidd and Nash once, when they played that epic classic in Jersey. It’s the only split in Player of the D.A.Y. history.
I thought it was appropriate since both Jason and Steve are in their early-mid thirties, doing things that players 10 years younger can’t do. Steve gets better every year. Jason is approaching averaging a triple double. There’s a third person that could fit into this category. Joumanna Kidd. She’s 34 years old and has given birth three times, including to twins. There are plenty of guys in the NBA that could learn from her workout regimen. And if it’s not a workout regimen, then she heals better than Wolverine or “The Cheerleader.”
Where was I? Oh, gotta pick a winner. The hell with it, I’m splitting the vote again! Jason Kidd and Steve Nash share the Player of the D.A.Y. for the second time! You might be thinking this is a slap in the face to Steph, since each of these guys replaced him and they keep racking up all of this praise and these trophies. But things are going well for Marbury. STARS ON STARS!!!
O.K. and now for the Chump of the D.A.Y. request. If you commenters want to name a Chump of the D.A.Y. every day, feel free. You have my blessing. I just don’t need that extra obligation of creating a new post every time. I’m kind of like Robocop 2. I have some basic directives but if you flood my brain with too many rules and orders, I might snap and grab onto an electrical fence. I did a stripped down version of this for the Playoffs a few years ago, called “Playoff Faces” or something like that, where I put a picture of the guy that helped his team most and a big red L over the face of the guy that hurt his team most.
If I had to pick a Chump of the D.A.Y., I would go with Ben Wallace for not scoring a single point and leaving with a tight back. But like I said, I leave the responsibility to the people.
50 Responses to “Player of the D.A.Y.”
Jan.12 at 4:56 pm
Tom Jackson says:
I’ve been waiting for a new post to put this up, I wanted everyone to read this. I was just watching ESPN’s Cold Pizza and Chris Bouchard or whatever his name is (their NBA Expert) said the top 5 point guards of all time are (in this order) Magic, Oscar, Isaiah Thomas (!), Bob Cousy (!), and Walt Frazier. Hpw on EARTH can you have a top 5 pgs without John Stockton, Jason Kidd or Steve Nash! At least one or two of them! And if you’re going to include Isaiah Thomas as a point guard, where the hell is Allen Iverson?! If AI had played with Rodman, Big Bill, Joe D, etc etc he would have won 4 championships! That is the WORST top 5 EVER!
Jan.12 at 4:57 pm
Tom Jackson says:
By the way, to further jeopardize his cred, Bouchard is a SAB with John Legend.
Jan.12 at 5:00 pm
Tom Jackson says:
In my defense I was only watching Cold Pizza becasuse I had just woke up and had fell asleep to a Super Bowl show ESPN2 had on this morning when I got home from work. Skip Bayless is the biggest conman in the history of mankind for being on that show. I don’t think he knows as much about sports as my wife.
Jan.12 at 5:15 pm
dpak says:
what kind of thought process would one have to have to decide that isiah was a similar pg to ai?
isiah averaged over 10 assists i think 4 years in a row and one year had 21 and 14.
21 and 14! think about that!
his career averages were somewhere around 19, 9 and 2.
not to mention his two championships.
Jan.12 at 5:18 pm
dpak says:
if anything stockton belongs there over cousy but it seems to me that he only picked pgs who had won championships.
Jan.12 at 5:22 pm
Tom Jackson says:
so isiah thomas as a player was a better point guard, not player but point guard, than John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Jerry West? Allen Iverson would have handled Isiah Thomas! Zeke was quick and used his size as an advantedge, the same thing AI does today but to the tune of 32 points and 7 assists. I’d rather have 32 points and 7 assists (nearly the same mathematically as 21 and 14). Steve Nash could average 21 and 14, also… that’s easily within his reach.
Jan.12 at 5:25 pm
dpak says:
when most people nowadays mention steve nash, they mean the post 30 steve nash.
everyone else on that list was consistent their entire careers.
i do believe that isiah was a better leader and as a consequence a better point guard than everyone you listed.
Jan.12 at 5:25 pm
Tom Jackson says:
I’m so tired of hearing about those Celtic championships. Right now in the NBA today, an average team, let’s say… the Warriors, would beat those Celtics by 20 points every single night. They were slower, much less athletic and smaller at basically every position. Those championships mean nothing when you’re talking about who was a better player. Cousy had an all-star team by those standards. Hell, their long-time SIXTH MAN, Hal Greer, was named to the NBA’s top 50 of all time list.
Jan.12 at 5:27 pm
Tom Jackson says:
Who has been Allen Iverson’s best team mate up until now, in his and their prime? I mean who the hell started with him in 01 versus the LakeShow? Eric Snow? Aaron McKie, Todd MaCullough!? Allen Iverson would embarass Isiah Thomas, and I don’t even like Allen Iverson.
Jan.12 at 5:27 pm
Max Airington says:
Steve Nash isnt even one of the top 5 point guards of the last 20 years, much less ever. A basketball court has two sides.
Jan.12 at 5:27 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Took you a while to realize you need to explain/apologize for watching that sh*t, TJ. Borderline unforgiveable. Anyway, you KNOW we don’t offer much praise for anything espn-related, but Broussard is a good dude who usually knows his stuff. You can certainly make great arguements for Kidd, Stock and Nash, but I think Chris’ list is totally justifiable — not to say it’s the only correct top-5, but it’s valid. Kidd’s never shown he can lift his team to a title and didn’t figure out how to shoot until about three years ago. Stockton was a marginal scorer and, close as they got, never lifted his team to a championship. And Nash, amazing as he’s been the past few years, was an afterthought his first few seasons in the League, and again, has yet to lead his team to a championship. He also can’t guard anybody. This list will be worth revisiting again in a couple years, but for now I don’t really think it’s that bad at all.
Jan.12 at 5:28 pm
Max Airington says:
Tom Jackson’s been drinking too much Johnnie Walker….
Jan.12 at 5:29 pm
Gary Payton says:
Remember me?
Jan.12 at 5:31 pm
Tom Jackson says:
I just think you have to remove Walt Frazier and Bob Cousy and add Stockton, Kidd, West, Iverson, or Nash. Bob Cousy’s championships are a joke and shouldn’t even be brought up. I mean come on, Walt Frazier? I’m only 24 but I’ve seen tapes of Walt Frazier, he looks about as quick as Barkley with the Rockets. He’d be blown away in today’s game, not to mention, he couldn’t win a championship without Pearl. Allen Iverson is a victim of NBA expansion. He never once had a team mate who was in the top 50, maybe not even the top 75 players in the league.
Jan.12 at 5:32 pm
Max Airington says:
GARY F*CKING PAYTON!
Jan.12 at 5:32 pm
Tom Jackson says:
Do you disagree with that, Max?
Jan.12 at 5:34 pm
Ryan Jones says:
The “today’s game” thing can’t be an issue, man. You can only compare guys to players from their era — I mean, I’m pretty sure Mikan couldn’t guard Shaq for a single possession without getting half his ribs cracked, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was the dominant big man of his era. And I don’t think AI can ever be looked at as a true PG, not when he’s gonna retire with a career average close to 30 ppg.
Jan.12 at 5:34 pm
Tom Jackson says:
Max, speaking of GP, Broussard’s reason for including Walt Frazier was that he called him, “easily the greatest defensive guard of all time.” Not even just point guard, greatest defensive GUARD of all time. GP? Mike Cooper? Hell, Ron Artest, even MJ.
Jan.12 at 5:35 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Max, I’m trying to be diplomatic here.
Jan.12 at 5:37 pm
Tom Jackson says:
If it’s about championships and being a major contributer to them, then I guess Steve Kerr is a top 5 point guard. Maybe AC Green should be in the top 10 power forwards.
Jan.12 at 5:42 pm
Tom Jackson says:
You don’t have to apologize for me/him, Ryan. I’m sure Max knows more about basketball then I do, this is his job. But it’s hard for me to believe that when I see a guy like Nash have 21-1 ratio in a game agasint a good team and Kidd averaging over 8 boards per night in today’s NBA that those two guys, along with the NBA’s all-time assists leader are less than Bob Cousy and Walt Frazier.
Jan.12 at 5:42 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Tom is right. Chris Broussard does look like John Legend. Funny that you people are starting a whole argument because of a detached third party’s random list. The lesson here is never listen to Broussard and DO NOT watch Cold Pizza.
In related news the Stephen A. Smith show has been cancelled.
And Eddie Griffin was suspended for drugs.
And I have a newsletter to write. THREE DAY WEEKEND!!!
Jan.12 at 5:43 pm
abelp says:
hal greer was on the celtics??? i think not….
Jan.12 at 5:50 pm
Andrew says:
The amount of love Steve Nash gets in the frame of NBA history is ridiculous. He’s been pretty good for a few seasons in Dallas then great in PHX for like 2-3 years and people talk about him as argubly the best point ever? Get some perspective people. Maybe 5 solid seasons in the league? What he’s doing in the valley of the sun is great, his passing and vision is fantastic but they’ve built a solid team around him and obviously he only plays one end of the floor. I just don’t think he’s been doing it long enough to be considered an all-time great not to mention the fact that he hasn’t been all that memorable in post-season play either. Everyone’s just so shocked because they play an uptempo ABA-style of action but that’s more credit to a coach that gives a team some freedom. Is it so far-fetched to believe that another player can lead that type of team or system? His best attribute is his unselfishness. He’s not fast or big, he just likes passing.
Jan.12 at 5:54 pm
Sparker says:
listen, i can’t stand isiah as a gm/coach, but i watched him play a lot, and he was really good, had tremendous heart and was tough tough tough; he would have done fine on AI, or at least as well as anyone who has ever tried to guard him (although for the record, it would have been dumars’ assignment, as he was the pistons’ stopper). saying the celtics NINE championships are negligible is just dumb. you can say what you want about cousy, but those were bill russell’s teams, and he (as well as wilt, who they played against) would have dominated now or at any time in the future. and if cousy was good enough to play with him.. incidentally, walt was one of those off-speed guys, who, like larry bird, went by the defense even though it seemed like he was moving one step slower than everyone else. so talking about slow he looked suggests you’re missing out on a key part of what made him so unusual/good.
Jan.12 at 5:55 pm
Tom Jackson says:
Andrew - Steve Nash isn’t fast/quick? Have you ever seen a Suns game in person? He’s not slow. “He just likes passing,” that’s like saying oh, Dennis Rodman wasn’t that great of a post player, he just likes rebounding. It’s an oxymoron.
Jan.12 at 6:30 pm
Aaron says:
Nash is like a modern version of Cousy so that squashes that whole argument Tom. Frazier was maybe the best defensive point guard EVER. All these players had flaws that could be pointed out and people that just say Nash doesn’t play defense are negating the fact that he the very definition of a true point guard and unlike Stockton, can score a ton of points. It’s all subjective but I think if the Suns win a ring and Nash gets another MVP, you have to consider him a top five point guard ever.
Jan.12 at 6:34 pm
FL1P says:
I’m not sure he really belongs on the top five point guards list, but Mark Jackson is the 2nd best assistman of the league ever. That alone should qualify him for the discussion. He played on pretty good Knicks team, lead the Clippers to 2 playoff appearances and was incredible with the Pacers.
Jan.12 at 6:56 pm
Chris says:
Now Mark Jackson just liked passing, BUT that for sure doesn’t make him one of the greatest PG’s ever, I’m pretty sure even he would admit that.
Jan.12 at 7:07 pm
Mikey says:
Hey if your talking Top-5 point guards of all-time, then where the hell is Rick Brunson on this list?? The guy has played for almost every team in the entire universe, that has to be good for something, right?
Jan.12 at 7:47 pm
Duckets forever killin' spots says:
Steve Nash playing in Dallas a few years ago is the reason I started watching the NBA. If not for his style of play, basketball for me would stop the first week of April & then I could go skateboarding without worrying about missing some dumb game.
Jan.12 at 7:47 pm
FL1P says:
But should your pg like passing?
Jan.12 at 8:01 pm
Drolfe says:
I’ve bitched and moaned about this before on the site, but the fact that it can even be argued that Nash isn’t one of the top 5 point guards from the past 20 years is the perfect example of why he shouldn’t have won the last two MVPs. Can you say that about any MVP ever, let alone a f-cking two time winner??
The thing about these top 5 lists that’s annoying is people have increadibly short memories. What I mean is, when Stockton was playing how many times did you hear the phrase ‘best point guard of all time’? The answer is a bunch. When he was in his prime it was generally accepted that besides Magic he was number 1. And this goes for a lot of great players. I know this doesnt related to that Cold Pizza list because all those dudes retired years and years ago, but you hear it alot. It’s like when Hakeem was killing the NBA Playoffs in the mid 90s I remember some poll or something where people had him above Kareem and Wilt for best center ever. When you think back to it it’s ridiculous to suggest that but at the time made sense. So actually I guess im more pissed at people (Bill Walton) making these exaggertaed sweeping statements about current playings being ‘top 5 of all time’. Yep.. that’s definatley it.
Jan.12 at 8:17 pm
Chris says:
^^ Stephon Marbury would say no
Jan.12 at 8:47 pm
FLUXLAND says:
I do remember “Playoff Faces” very well (now that you bring it up), Sam. Rasheed had a few of those. Hmmm… Chump of the D.A.Y. , no longer being original, receives a big thumbs down! (maybe a few mentions here and there when I ask myself why some teams are not taking players to court over fraud)
Jan.12 at 10:50 pm
Magic Chicken says:
hey, do u guys know which player totally should be on that list, and *is* on that list cuz he’s so friggin pimp? That’s right, Magic Johnson. L A K E R S ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Jan.13 at 12:28 am
Max Airington says:
Sorry guys, I wasnt sulking or ingoring anyone, I just had to go to work. But its frightening that Im the comments section so much that people actually think it’s my job. Im glad Ryan isnt EIC anymore, or Id be myunglisted. Anyway, I agree with Aaron to an extent-Nash is basically the modern day Cousy-but his MVP’s shouldn’t vault him above more complete players. I have the utmost respect for the man and his game but his MVPs are questionable at the very least. As far as the past, I think that it’s important to recognize the foundation that was laid by the game’s pioneers. They added an imagination and creativity that was missing from the set shot era, and everyone who followed them benefitted from that blueprint. (Money said it best, “If I learned the game of basketball isolated from everyone else, then I would be comfortable being called the greatest. But since I learned from others’ examples, the credit should be shared…”) That’s the only reason I said you were drunk Tom-it’s one thing to say that players today are more athletic and talented, that much is true, but when you start wildin out and acting like the past doesnt matter, I cant get with that. So I respect Broussard’s list, and the only substitution I’d make is Walt Frazier. Magic and Oscar are locks. Isiah deserves it too, especially over Iverson. He was just a quick, just as tough and just as potent a scorer and defender. Need an example? 1988 NBA Finals, he put up 25 in one quarter on one of the greatest teams of all time, (Lakers) playing with a sprained ankle that would have sent practically anyone else to the trainers room. Respect game. Gotta have Cousy for aforementioned reasons, and finally I’d give the slight edge to GP over Kidd and Stockton due to his DPOY and 9 time All D First team selections-and he was a better scorer than both of them. I won’t even go any further on Nash, or Ill be here til morning. Let’s just say he aint cutting it. Alright, Im going to get drunk and laid. Hopefully you’re all doing one of the same.
Jan.13 at 12:38 am
Max Airington says:
And Ryan, you’re about as Diplomatic as Jim Jones….
Jan.13 at 12:13 pm
Boyd says:
No.1, Andrew talks out the wrong end of his body. ‘Nash hasn’t been all that memorable in the postseason either’ - I don’t know how old you are, or if you just don’t watch playoff basketball and make stuff like that up, but i’ve been watching the playoffs since Jordan was in his prime and i can tell you Nash’s 31,12,6 & 2 in 2005 over the Mavs is Oscar Robertson-esque. Never saw MJ average anything CLOSE to that in asix game series. Maybe in points, but that’s it. Now, i’m not saying that Nash is any where near Jordan, it just sounds like you’re a football fan or you don’t have a TV. No.2 As far as Tom jackson, Max Airington hit it on the nose. Cousy was a pioneer, the guy did something in the pros never done before, and all this talk about the Celtics being no good today is bull. Time doesn’t change how intelligent a man is with a basketball in his hands. Put their first five into the 21st century, and they would have easily adapted, physically, mentally and skill-wise. They were intelligent ball players, and if you ever watched them play, they look real similair to today’s suns. Now if you can run a break and finish, whoever you are, you can beat any one. Russell had genius when it came to positioning for rebounds and blocking shots, and i’m pretty sure 100lbs now weighs the same as then, so he could easily bulk up to battle today’s men inside. Plus he was a real athlete. They all had attributes and bball intelligence that would stand up today. Stockton was a sweet passer, a dirty elbow thrower and competent shooter, Kidd, by trying to be a big framed do-it-all point guard will inevitably fail miserably when compared to Magic and Oscar, Iverson is a shooting guard, and if/when Nash wins a chip, he will (rightfully) be the only person to creep into that list, taking Fraziers place. Peace
Jan.14 at 7:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Um, I’m not sure if this was mentioned already, but Walt Frazier won his first title in 1970 WITHOUT Earl Monroe, and by turning in one of the greatest Game Seven performances of all time. Willis Reed gets all the attention for hobbling onto the court to START that game, but it was Clyde who finished it. His line? 36 points, 19 assists, seven rebounds and five steals. In Game Seven. Of the NBA Finals. Against the Lakers. With Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. I think he’s top five in ANYBODY’S book.
Jan.14 at 9:36 pm
Chief says:
If my man Dunc’s Buncs heard you called Ben Wallace the chump of the day he would kill you. Last night we were out and he told me all the reasons taht Ben Wallace is the best player in the NBA. He would kill you and i don’t think anyone can stop that guy…
Jan.15 at 12:48 pm
James Mac says:
I think jerrry West has to be considered the greatest just because he was the first and he revolutioned the game so you would have the amazing passers you have now. The Big O should be second just because he averaged a triple dub and because he was an MVP, hes done something that might never be matched ever in the history of the nba. Steve Nash should be thrid simply because hes won the most MVPs and the most in a row. PS AI wasnt even a point guard til a couple years ago so how could he be considered one of the greatest at a position he normally doesnt play!!!!
Jan.15 at 4:54 pm
reidar says:
Nash will never get the cred he deserves among the fans… Legitimate MVP candidate third season in a row, and fourth in voting among GUARDS in the Western Conference.
Kobe is fair enough, but behind B-Diddy!! Perhaps he should be in front of Nash in top 5 pg last 20 years as well??
Jan.15 at 5:14 pm
itai says:
im not the biggest stockton fan but come on! all time leader in assists and steals, thats gotta mean something.
Jan.15 at 7:09 pm
Chris says:
I think the biggest thing with steve nash, the reason why he gets so much attention, is how much better he makes other players. Playing with steve nash pretty much guarantees you a career year (see Thomas, Tim) and that can’t be quantified solely in his numbers. There are a lot better players in the NBA, but right NOW there’s no better point guard. Does that makes him top 5, all time, i dont’ know. I only started following basketball relatively recently. But you can just throw out statistics to determine who’s the best.
Jan.16 at 3:03 am
Norway says:
(In a particular order:)
Top points:
Magic, Stockton, Kidd, Robertson, Frazier
Top SGs:
Jordan, Iverson, West, Kobe, Drexler
Top SFs:
Bird, Pippen, Lebron, Dr. J, Wilkins
Top PFs:
Malone, Baylor, Barkley, Duncan, Garnett
Top Cs:
Olajuwon, Abdul Jabbar, Shaq, Chamberlain, Russell
Jan.16 at 4:09 am
Drolfe says:
What’s the particular order?
Jan.16 at 6:42 am
FLUD says:
Norway is weird. Having Duncan behind those guys is a joke. Russell down there? W. T. F. ? Not only are you weird Norway, you’re wrong. Arington’s shit makes the most sense BY A MILE!!
Jan.16 at 7:58 am
Norway says:
Weird? Why? Because I rank Karl Malone, Elgin Baylor and Charles Barkley over Tim Duncan? Those are some pretty legendary players mate. Why exactely am I wrong?
Jan.16 at 8:37 am
Norway says:
Dropping out Stockton would just be plain stupid. He’s got like 5000 more assists than the next guy on the all-time list. He’d have two rings also, if it wasn’t for Mike Jordan. GP? Solid point guard and great defensive player and all… But didn’t quite make my list.
Bob Cousy? A pioneer for sure. But I can’t really see him doing well if he had played in the league today. The same with Russell and Wilt. They’d be descent players today, but not nearly as dominant as they were back then.