Who is the NBA's half-season MVP?(Counterpoints)

Steve Nash

The Suns finished last season with 29 wins. Already, they have surpassed that total. Sure, Amare Stoudemire is a year older. Quentin Richardson has been a decent addition. But the real reason the Suns have made a shocking catapult from the league's basement to its penthouse is the presence of Steve Nash.

When Nash ditched the Mavericks for the Suns as a free agent last summer, the move was met with raised eyebrows and shrugs. Yeah, he was a decent pickup, but hadn't he shown signs of decline? Was he really better than former Suns point guards Stephon Marbury and Jason Kidd? Unlikely. But Nash has responded with the best all-around season of his nine-year career.

An MVP doesn't have to score 30 points a game. If that were the case, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant would win the award every season. An MVP knows what his team needs and delivers. The Suns needed a playmaker who could speed up the tempo. Done. The Suns lead the league in scoring, and Nash is averaging 11.4 assists in Suns wins--10.9 overall. He is on track to finish with the highest assists average since Mark Jackson in 1996-97.

An MVP knows how to make his teammates better. Thanks in part to Nash, Stoudemire is having his best season, too. Each Suns starter is averaging at least 15 points, a rarity.

No other team has made such a startling turnaround this season. Look at last year's team, and look at this year's team. Nash is the difference, and he is the MVP.--Tricia Garner

Shaquille O'Neal