Part 6/11:
Drafted 15th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Nash’s selection was met with skepticism, particularly due to his perceived physical limitations—standing at just 6'3" and weighing 178 pounds. Initial seasons in the league were challenging; Nash struggled to find his groove amid an already stacked Suns roster that included stars like Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. His rookie year saw dismal stats, where he averaged just over three points per game.
Despite the rocky start, Nash's persistence paid off in subsequent seasons. However, as Nash remained a backup point guard, the opportunity for him to emerge as a leader was limited.