Risk taking offers rewards

Steve Nash ranks as one of the most underrated basketball players of my generation.

His crafty passing and ability to control the pace of the game was something to be admired. Despite his many accolades, many feel that Nash lacks the credit he deserves.

Although he was not the high-flying guard like Russell Westbrook or a marksman like Stephen Curry, he knew how to take control of a game and make his teammates better.

Some of Nash’s accolades include eight-time All-Star, three-time First Team All-NBA and five-time league assist leader. He was one of 11 players in NBA history to win back-to-back league MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, while he was with the Phoenix Suns, the second time.

Mind you, Nash won these MVP awards by beating out legendary players in their prime such as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Lebron James, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. He ranks as the No. 30 best player in NBA history, according to ESPN. com.

Drafted 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1996, the Canadian floor general belongs to what many deem the best draft class of all-time.

Nash barely saw the court as he was buried on the depth chart behind great guards like Kevin Johnson, Sam Cassell and Jason Kidd. After two years of limited playing time, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

During his time with the Mavericks, Nash established himself as a solid point guard. His talents were paired with a rising young star in Dirk Nowitzki and an All-Star caliber player in Michael Finley.

Nash earned his first All-Star selection in 2002 and the Mavericks established themselves as a threat in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, the Western Conference was too loaded, and the Mavericks never saw any playoff success.

After the 2003-2004 season, Nash became a free agent. He attempted to negotiate a long-term deal with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. However, Cuban wanted to build the team around the younger Dirk Nowitzki and not spend max dollars on a 30-year-old Nash.

Cuban offered Nash a 4-year contract worth $36 million. The Phoenix Suns offered him a 6-year, $63 million contract. Nash didn’t want to leave Dallas and asked Cuban if he could match the Sun’s offer. Cuban refused and Nash signed the deal to play for the Suns.

In Nash’s second stint with the Suns, everything came together for him. One year after Dallas considered him to be on the tail end of his career, he won the league MVP at the age of 31.

Nash elevated his team as the Suns finished with the best record in the league. The next year, the Suns finished with the third best record in the NBA and Nash won his second league MVP and First Team All-NBA Selection.

In both years, the Suns made it to the Western Conference Finals and Nash cemented himself as one of the best players in the league.

After the 2006 season, Dallas Owner Mark Cuban made an appearance on the “Late Show” with David Letterman. When questioned about Nash, Cuban said, “…You know Steve’s a great guy and I love him to death, but why couldn’t he play like an MVP for us?”

The moral of the story is sometimes in life you have to take risks. Perhaps, had Cuban kept Nash and paired him with Dirk Nowitzki, they could have won a championship. Instead Cuban chose to focus on the future of the Mavericks and failed to realize what he had in Nash until he was gone.

Most of us lack the virtue of patience. Whether making financial, health or relational investments, most of us desire quick results as opposed to enduring through the process. When taking risks, one should hold to the mantra, “Don’t wait to invest – invest and wait.”

Playing it safe often means settling. You may have a great life, but you may be settling for less than your potential. No one wants to look back on their life and feel regret.

But after playing it safe for so long, many people look back and wonder why they didn’t just take the chance while they had it. You never know what you can accomplish until you take a risk and try.