Dirk was about 10 minutes away from an NBA championship had his team not wilted in the 4th quarter of game 3 vs. Miami. Ironically, if they made a couple more offensive plays they'd have won that game and the ring. And Avery Johnson stressed defense out of his team when he became coach, that was the reason the Mavs made it to the finals at all. So, with Dirk, I'll have to disagree.

Allen Iverson was also in the finals, but he was playing a Lakers team that severly overmatched them. Unless you wanna tell me how Iverson could've defended SHAQ in the year 2000, don't see how you're saying he could've changed the outcome of that series. Because that was the difference. And incidentally, AI is always among the league-leaders in steals, so I don't get your point about him not playing defense.

Vince Carter? When has he ever had a team that you thought could contend for a title? EVER??? C'mon now, let's be real. He sulked in Toronto for the specific reason that their GM for years put, at-best, mid-level next to him. A couple of good players like McGrady, yes, but farrrr from a team that had any hopes of winning a title.

Nash? He tries, he just doesn't have the ability, especially against bigger, quicker guards. That is just the effects of nature. And the Suns might well have won last year if it weren't for those suspensions....but Nash can try as hard as he wants, he wasn't stopping Tony Parker. There's not many ppl who can.