Steve Nash is celebrating his 42nd birthday today. He is considered one of the best point guards of all time.
**Drafted 15th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft, Nash is the lowest draft pick in history to win an MVP. Kobe Bryant (1996) and Karl Malone (1985) are the second-lowest at 13th overall.
Both Bryant and Nash were part of the 1996 NBA Draft class, which has produced the most MVPs of any draft class in NBA history (Allen Iverson, Bryant, Nash).
**Nash is 1 of 2 players to win an NBA MVP but never play in the NBA Finals (Derrick Rose).
**Nash is one of the greatest shooters of all-time. He had four 50-40-90 seasons, most all-time. The only other player to have multiple 50-40-90 seasons is Larry Bird.
**Nash is 1 of 3 players in history to have a career free throw percentage of at least 90% and a three-point percentage of at least 40%. The other two are Mark Price and Stephen Curry.
**Nash shot at least 90% on his free throws in 7 different seasons. That is tied with Reggie Miller for the most all-time.
**Nash led the NBA in assists per game in 5 different seasons. Only John Stockton (9), Bob Cousy (8) and Oscar Robertson (7) did it more often. Jason Kidd also led the league 5 times.
Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his daily NBA content service at www.allball365.com.