We have 3 major candidates.
Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Cp3
Early 2000s. 2002-2003. Kidd was able to lead his team to back to back finals appearance. (Only losing to Shaq/Kobe Lakers and Big 3 Spurs respectively)
Everyone thought Kidd would be inarguably the best PG of the decade.
However, in Mid 2000s. 2005-2006. Nash was traded from Mavs to Suns. And his partnership with coach Dantoni worked wonders. Unlike Kidd. Nash never was able to lead his suns team to a finals appearance. Usually losing to Spurs or Lakers before reaching the big stage. Still Nash won back to back MVPs in that stretch
Then Cp3 came to the party as a late game. 2006, he won Roy. 2007, he was not even an all star. But in 2008, he had a skyrocket leap. Not only he made all star. He became an MVP candidate!!!. And even placed second place behind Kobe Bryant (one of Top 10-12 all time players)
My Verdict
Cp3 kinda came late. And a good amount of his prime years will be in 2010s instead.
So, it is Nash VS Kidd.
Kidd back to back finals appearance was amazing.
But I will give the edge to Nash. Just because on how deep the wild west in his time.
So, I have (for 2000s)
1.Nash
2.Kidd
3.Cp3
Honorable Mention: Deron Williams
Assuming the years 2000-2009, Nash over Kidd. I don’t think anyone else really has a claim. To go over the resumes:
MVPs: Nash- 2, Kidd- 0
All NBA: Nash- 6, Kidd- 5
1st Team: Nash- 3, Kidd- 4
All Star: Nash- 6, Kidd- 7
All D: Nash- 0, Kidd 8
1st D: Nash- 0, Kidd 3
Assist Leader: Nash- 3, Kidd- 4
50-40-90 club: Nash- 3, Kidd- 0
Finals Appearances: Nash- 0, Kidd- 2
Personally the MVPs really seal it for me. Both have extremely close resumes, with Kidd having way more D accolades and Nash having some shooting accolades. But it’s really hard to argue against a b2b MVP, Nash at that time was just an offensive genius.
These stats and accolades tell me Nash was a little better offensively and Kidd was a lot better defensively.
Why do people put so little stock in defense?
Defense matters but it’s overstated at the PG position. Granted, Kidd was capable enough to guard SFs, but the gap on offense is pretty large and far more consequential.
One of the best defenders of the era, top two passer of the 2000’s, got robbed of MVP by Duncan, and had arguments the next year as well. Carried the Nets to two finals appearances. Triple double machine. Just one of the best all-around players in history. I would take Jason Kidd over Nash easily. The only things Nash inarguably does better on the court is shooting and efficiency. If that tips the scale one way for you then so be it.
Nobody controlled the opposing team’s defense the way Kidd was able to. Just one of the best instinctive players ever. And he did that most of his career without being a threat from outside. Stats don’t do him justice on just how incredible he was to witness. A lot of people talking about it now didn’t get to see it in real time. Mr. Triple Double before Westbrook demystified the triple double in the modern era.
Both really great players though and two of the best point guards to ever play the game.
Lets look at teammates one had shawn marion amare stoudmire joe jackson where the other had richard jefferson keith van horn and kenyon martin and the latter took that team to the finals twice lol.
There’s a world of difference between playing in Western vs Eastern conference. Nash was reguarly going up against better teams than Kidd, like Spurs and Mavs
Jefferson and Martin were decent players.
And of course scalabrine is the undisputed GOAT.
why would an MVP seal it when those are opinion based. Shaq has one MVP. Could have been 3 or 4.
I agree with you but it’s much closer than this thread makes it sound given that 2000’s Kidd was the best defensive PG after Gary Payton fell off.