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SHAQ & NASH LEAD MVP DEBATE
Year's big MVP question has a big answer — Shaq
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
This season's NBA Most Valuable Player could very likely come down to massive Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat against floppy-haired Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. As opposite as they are in appearance and style, they are the best players on the two winningest teams in the league.
Shaquille O'Neal is a giant man, and has a giant effect on this Heat teammates and the flow of the game.
By Luis M. Alvarez, AP
O'Neal, who won the award in 2000 with the Los Angeles Lakers, is trying to become only the third player to win it with two different teams. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won as a Milwaukee Buck and as a Los Angeles Laker, and Moses Malone won as a Houston Rocket and a Philadelphia 76er.
"I'm of the school of thought that Shaq should be MVP every year," Chicago Bulls coach Scott Skiles says.
If Nash wins, he will join Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson as the only point guards to do so. (Philadelphia's Allen Iverson played shooting guard when he won it in 2001.)
Nash's average of 11.5 assists a game is the highest in the NBA since John Stockton of the Utah Jazz averaged 12.3 during the 1994-95 season. Nash averages only 16.3 points a game, which would be the third-lowest scoring average of any MVP (Wes Unseld of Baltimore averaged 13.8 in 1968-69 and Bill Russell of Boston averaged 14.1 in 1964-65).
"For someone coming from where I come from, just to be mentioned for (the MVP) is an honor," Nash says.
USA TODAY's David DuPree lists contenders and his choice in five award categories — MVP, rookie of the year, coach of the year, sixth man of the year and most improved player:
MVP
Contenders—Steve Nash, Phoenix: Has more weapons at his disposal than any other player, and he knows how and when to use each of them. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia: Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan are the only other players to average 30 points and seven assists in the same season. Iverson (30.2 points, 7.7 assists) is on his way to doing it plus winning the scoring le.
The winner - Shaquille O'Neal, Miami: No player has more effect on every aspect of the game. He also keeps teammates loose and doesn't mind sharing the spotlight. He is playing a career-low 34.4 minutes a game, but the Heat have the best record in the East.
Rookie of the year
Contenders—Ben Gordon, Chicago: The Bulls tell him to win the game in the fourth quarter. He has had 10 or more points in the final stanza a league-high 22 times. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia: A defensive whiz and an exciting offensive talent who is flying high but still is under the radar.
The winner - Emeka Okafor, Charlotte: He comes to work, does his job with no flash and no flair, just a willingness to get it done the old-fashioned way. He has 40 double-doubles and averages 15.3 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Coach of the year
Contenders—Nate McMillan, Seattle: There were no significant additions to the team, but he gets the most out of every player. George Karl, Denver: To come in when he did and turn the team around (the Nuggets are 24-6 since he was hired) as quickly as he did is a phenomenal achievement.
The winner - Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix: He put players in new positions and played a style no one else had the guts to try. The Suns average a league-best 110.3 points a game.
Best sixth man
Contenders - Ricky Davis, Boston: His wildness comes in handy in this role as does his 15.9 points off the bench.
Tyson Chandler, Chicago: Rebounding and defense still win games and he excels at both, averaging 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
The winner - Ben Gordon, Chicago: The Vinnie Johnson clone is like having an ace in the hole every hand.
Most improved player
Contenders - Tayshaun Prince, Detroit: If he was any smoother he'd be liquid; a great defender and clever scorer. Gilbert Arenas, Washington: Give him the ball, get out of the way. He has scored 40 points or more four times and 30 or more 22 times.
The winner - Bobby Simmons, L.A. Clippers: Takes smart shots, plays good defense and has made himself a valuable commodity. He averages career highs in points (16.6), rebounds (6.0) and assists (2.8).
...hmmnn. I agree w/ the ROY. But, if LeBron is not MVP he must be a strong consideration for Most Improved Player.
he! 
