Steve Nash (1996-98; 2004-11). Career per-game averages with Phoenix: 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 30.6 minutes.

Nash on Stockton's brilliance When Nash entered the league in 1996, Stock's consistency and leadership finally started to show results. After years of playoff heartbreak, the Jazz had broken ...

Chris Palmer asks whether the 1996 draft, which features Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, is the greatest class ever.

Nash, 38, was drafted by Phoenix with the No. 15 pick in 1996, just two picks behind Bryant. Nash was traded to Dallas in 1998, but returned to Phoenix in 2004.

Steve Nash (1996-98; 2004-11). Career per-game averages with Phoenix: 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 30.6 minutes.

That explains why, in many ways, Nash modeled his game after Stockton. In both of Steve's MVP seasons (2005 and 2006), he averaged a modest 15.5 and 18.8 points per game, respectively.