How Fast Was Steve Nash?

[Pelly24]

He seemed pretty damn fast.

[Wallace_Wallace]

I don't think he was blazing fast, but his body movement was very fluid. Similar to Ray Allen, there's little to no wasted motion in their moves. But end to end speed, he's above average, not faster than young CP3, Rondo, or Tony Parker.

[Ontario]

He was quick, but not lightening quick. Steve didn't beat guys with his athleticism he beat them by working harder, you'd see him penetrate then circle back then penetrate again looking for a lane to attack to an open shooter. A lot of times guys force the issue attempting at the rim when they do not have much daylight or picking up their dribble under the net, Steve would just keep his dribble alive and keep the ball moving.

I remember him saying one time something to the effect that if every guy in the league played to their full potential he himself would be out of a job.

[M4P]

End-to-end speed or overall sprint time on a linear plane isn't nearly as important as lateral agility/speed. Within that context, Nash was pretty damn slow and always got beat. He was still a smart defender though that made the correct rotations; it's just that his body couldn't keep up.

[Hellcrooner]

Too fast for Love.

[magnumt]

He seemed pretty damn fast.

He was a crafty passer like Stockton. They could weave some magnificent gems to their target.

--Mags

[DaddyCool19]

Watch on YouTube

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[jpengland]

Deadly first step but the most important factor was that his mind was half a step ahead of everybody else.

[Mister Ze]

He was definitely quick with the ball for a PG, nobody could really defend him when he sprinted up the court and pulled up from 3

[ellobo]

He was very shifty with the ball. Very quick and deceptive with changes of speed and direction that enabled him to blow past defenders with the dribble.

It's impossible to quantify exactly how fast he was, but he wasn't "slow." Asking how fast Nash was is like asking how fast Curry is. Curry isn't known as an explosive athlete, but he's plenty fast in the context of playing basketball.

Nash was certainly not a great individual defender against other good point guards, but neither are many point guards who are regarded as very quick and fast.

[OlDirtMcBert]

I remember someone (maybe Hubie) pointing out during playoffs it wasn’t his straight line sprint speed that made him unguardable, it was how expertly he would change his pace from easy to sprint all with complete control. Having those handles means he could always have the defense on their heels and never really settle in defensively.

Similarly, the 1st nba game I ever saw in person was rookie Cp3 and the Hornets vs the Spurs and two things blew my mind. Number one was just watching Tim Duncan warm up then get going in the game. He was just incredible. Number two was Cp3 had that entire ballgame in his hands. He controlled the pace from beginning to end, and that’s when I knew he would be really good. Too bad he’s such a flopper and crybaby. Really effects how I view his career now towards the end of his career.

[OlDirtMcBert]

He was very shifty with the ball. Very quick and deceptive with changes of speed and direction that enabled him to blow past defenders with the dribble.

It's impossible to quantify exactly how fast he was, but he wasn't "slow." Asking how fast Nash was is like asking how fast Curry is. Curry isn't known as an explosive athlete, but he's plenty fast in the context of playing basketball.

Nash was certainly not a great individual defender against other good point guards, but neither are many point guards who are regarded as very quick and fast.

Oops. This guy nailed it right before me.

[canada_dry]

He was pretty fast in his prime. He didn't have lateral quickness tho.

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[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Like Curry, Nash had below average foot quickness for a point guard but he had a top speed brain and court vision.

Defenders would take away Nash's drive to the basket but Nash was still dangerous when he was taking what the defenders gave him. Other guys are only dangerous then they can beat the defender. Nash's plan B is better than other guys plan A.

[Peja Stojakovic]

he was fast and quick, but what set him apart was his control and presence of mind

not as quick as young tony parker though who was absurd

[InTheNBADraft]

He was fast with the ball, meaning having the ball didn't slow him down very much despite not being a pure speedster. That, and he was shifty (changed directions very well) and protect the ball well.

[The_Hater]

Nash wasn’t slow but he certainly lightning quick like most top PG’s either. His skill was in being able to change directions quickly and being able to change speeds to put defenders off balance. His threat to shoot also put defenders off balance. Those three skills made him appear faster than he was.

[Potedon]

Not fast at all, at least not during Dallas/2nd Phoenix era. Maybe when he was in Phoenix the first time he had decent speed.

Watch on YouTube

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I'm faster than Raymond Felton.

[Young gun 6]

Not super fast but definitely above average, his BBIQ made it seem like he was faster than others.

One of the smartest if not THE smartest basketball players of all time.

[Mikistan]

If you never give up your dribble and keep moving you tire our defenders faster than short bursts then no movement fam