Nearly two decades after Steve Nash won back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, the debate over whether he truly deserved them still rages on.
But one voice from inside the locker room has stepped forward with a firm stance: Joe Johnson, Nash’s former teammate on the Phoenix Suns, says the Canadian point guard absolutely earned both honors, despite the controversy surrounding Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s snubs.
“He did. I’m going to tell you why, bro,” Johnson said on Run It Back. “We had a stretch where [Nash] missed like eight to ten games… we probably won one game, bro. I ain’t going to lie; that’s how important he was to us”.
“When we had (Steve Nash) on the floor, we was just blowing teams out left and right. When he wasn’t on the floor, it was like, ‘Why is the game so hard?’”
Joe Johnson’s high praise sums up why Nash earned back-to-back MVPs over Shaq and Kobe 💯 pic.twitter.com/UvGtvXyE1o
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) September 1, 2025
Nash’s MVP seasons were defined not by gaudy scoring numbers, but by his transformative effect on the Suns’ offense. In 2004–05, Nash averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 assists per game while leading Phoenix to a 62–20 record; the best in the NBA. Shaquille O’Neal, meanwhile, posted 22.9 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Miami Heat, who finished 59–23. Many argued Shaq’s dominance should have earned him the award, but Johnson believes Nash’s value went beyond the box score.
“When we had him on the floor, we were blowing teams out left and right. When he wasn’t on the floor, it was like ‘why is the game so hard?’” Johnson explained.
In 2005–06, Nash repeated as MVP, averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 assists while guiding a Suns team missing Amar’e Stoudemire to a 54–28 record. Kobe Bryant led the league in scoring with 35.4 points per game, but the Lakers finished just 45–37.
Nash’s MVP wins remain among the most debated in NBA history. Shaq has publicly expressed frustration over losing the 2005 award, and many fans still believe Kobe was robbed in 2006. But Johnson’s perspective offers a rare insider view. One that highlights leadership, chemistry, and the intangible qualities that define true value.
“It fit so seamlessly. Like, we had so much fun, bro. You know there’s nothing like going into a game knowing that you’re going to win. That’s how I felt every time we stepped on the court,” Johnson said of playing alongside Nash.
Johnson’s comments challenge the notion that MVP should be awarded solely based on individual stats. For him, Nash’s ability to orchestrate an elite offense, empower teammates, and consistently win games made him the rightful recipient… twice.
