Why is it a good thing that Shaq didn't win? Do you feel that Shaq isn't deserving of the award this season, or just in general? Is there a particular reason you feel anyone deserves it more then Shaq? Nash isn't as valuable to his team as Shaquille O'Neal is to his. I liken Nash's arrival in Phoenix to Jackson's arrival in Los Angeles that first year. Amare, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, are all young guys improving every year. They were all due for a breakout season. Marion has been putting up outstanding numbers every year. Most people would agree (including me) that Coach D'antoni is the Coach of the Year. He made some great lineup moves which brought about their success. Moving Marion to 4 and Amare to 5 were brilliant ideas. This allowed them to be more athletic and to run the ball more. No one argues D'antoni's value to the Suns this season. He made the changes that brought about the team's success coupled with career years from Richardson, Amare, and Joe Johnson. Nash isn't as valuable as it appears. Dallas won more games without him then they did with him. Is that to say that Jason Terry and Devin Harris are better point guards then Nash is? Of course not. Harris is too young still and Terry is a scorer, not a floor leader.
The Mavericks actually got BETTER by letting Nash go. How can an MVP's old team get better without him? Look at the Lakers, Shaq leaves and they miss the playoffs. Sure, Shaq being traded wasn't the only reason (coaching, injuries, off-court issues) but its obvious that Shaq's trade was a significant detriment to the Lakers season. To me, that's what makes a player the MVP. The impact he has on the NBA as a whole. The ability to take over and dominate a game. Nash hasn't dominated any games. He doesn't demand the ball in the clutch, he isn't asked to take the big shots, and he doesn't play any defense against the opponent's guards.
Nash would of gotten my 4th place vote, behind Shaq, Iverson, Lebron.