[Hoot Gibson]

I like the idea of Nash being included, but I honestly lost a since of value for him when Amare left and continued to still play at an All-Star caliber. I always considered Nash as another John Stockton. I had figured that Karl Malone was 100% result of Stockton. So, I thought that Nash made Dirk, which proved to not be the case; and I thought that Amare would never do anything without Nash, which has proved to be wrong. So I can't honestly Nash in my top 5

Take a closer look at Amare's stats. Since joining the Knicks, his FG percentage has dropped from 55.7% to 50.2% last season to 48.3% this season. He is shooting more and his FG percentage has dropped sharply. Amare is a selfish player, IMO, and with Nash distributing the ball, his shot selection was much better because Nash set him up for success. Look at the stats of a few other former Suns like Barbosa, whose best seasons came while he was in Phoenix.

Nowitzki's numbers did not drop off like Amare's did, but I think that was more a case of Nowitzki's still developing talent than him not missing Nash. I also think that Nowitzki's shot selection is much better and he does not need a great point guard to make decisions for him. In that regard, even Kobe's shot selection would improve with Nash running the show, assuming that Kobe would even be able to play with a decent point guard on the floor.

I don't think that John Stockton made Karl Malone. Malone and Stockton made each other because their games complimented each other perfectly. As good as Malone was, he would have had trouble playing on a team dominated by a selfish ball hog guard, like the one who so many young fans of today idolize.

I hope that Bynum and Gasol get a chance to show what they can do on a team that values teamwork. It would be great to see them both team with Chris Paul on the Clippers and relegate the Lakers to being the second best team in LA.