While everyone was watching the Super Bowl spread, Steve Nash was doing some spreading of his own en route to his 8,000th career assist. On Monday night Nash had 15 points and 15 assists in a losing effort as the Phoenix Suns were out gunned 124-115 in Utah by the Jazz. Coming into the game needing just two assists to reach the mark, he left no chance.
The Victoria, BC native is averaging a league high 11 assists per game and became just the eighth player to reach the 8,000 mark. The 35 year old Nash joins the likes of John Stockton, Marc Jackson and Magic Johnson on a very distinct list of which only the two active players are not yet in the Hall of Fame. Jason Kidd is the only other active player with over 8,000 assists (10,594).
Nash is having a great season and his numbers of 18.4 points and 11 assists are very similar to his two MVP years in the 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons. If he continues on his pace of roughly 800 assists per year, he should be able to pass Isiah Thomas and Gary Payton by the end of next season to move into sixth all time. Utah fans need not worry because at his current pace, Nash would need 10 more seasons to surpass Stockton’s career record of 15,806.
Next up for the Suns is a two game home stretch against the Charlotte Bobcats and Nash’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks. One looking for betting tips can be assured that after a short recognition of achievement ceremony for him before the game, he will continue on distributing the ball early and often as he has done over his 13 year career.
