Happy Nash

Paul Coro / The Arizona Republic
When Mark Cuban let Steve Nash sign with Phoenix in the summer of 2004, the Dallas owner cited how "improbable" it was that Nash had missed so few games (four in his last three seasons there) and that it would be "a matter of time before his style of play caught up with him."

That time has yet to arrive. Granted, Nash has four more years to go on this contract. But the way he has played, it may not be his last deal.

Even as he turned 32 Tuesday, Nash is the media's majority choice to repeat as Most Valuable Player. Nash has played in all 48 games, racking up career-high averages in minutes (37.1), points (19.4) and rebounds (4.4). After a daylong flu battle, Nash emerged for 31 points Monday.

"I feel younger almost every year," Nash said. "I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years."

"It's nice to feel good at 32," Nash said. "I don't feel old. I don't feel like this is getting harder. I feel like this is getting easier, if anything."

Photo: Michael Chow / The Arizona Republic