Is it possible that a 35-year-old is going to be this year’s MVP? Well it’s certainly becoming a distinct possibility. The way Steve Nash is going he will remain in the top two for the whole season, but is it realistic to expect the veteran to continue his good form?

The magic age for decline in basketball has always been around 31-32 with only an exceptional few able to continue their good form past that age, Nash is one of them.

He won the league MVP twice in 2005-2006 and so far this season he is putting up similar numbers to those two years. His first MVP season came at the age of 31 averaging 18.8 PPG and 10.5 assists a game to go along with 4.2 rebounds and a field goal percentage .512%. The following season he averaged 18.6 PPG, 11.6 assists, 3.5 boards and improved his shooting percentage to .532%.

The numbers were impressive, but even more impressive was the way Nash linked the team together not just on the court but off it to. Nash is continuing that trend and it is no coincidence that Phoenix’s return to the running game has coincided with Nash’s return to MVP form.

So far this year he is averaging 17.2PPG, 11.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and for the sixth consecutive season is shooting over 50% from the floor. Any point guard would be proud of these numbers but it is the Suns league leading 10-2 record which will bring Nash the most joy.

This season was supposed to be a transitional one for the Suns, with question marks about Amar’e and his dedication to the team and an aging side the play-offs were supposed to be a stretch and first to 10 league wins was unthinkable.

So now we have to ask is Nash for real? And can the Suns really be a top seed in the west? Well Nash is certainly for real, winning the MVP in consecutive seasons is no fluke and with the way he takes care of his body and his amazing ability to see things on the court others can’t means Nash is here to stay in the Race for MVP.

The Suns on the other hand will probably drop off, but let’s leave the team talk for the power rankings.

1- Steve Nash, 17.2 PPG, 11.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, .447 3pt%, .10 steals

His numbers have dropped since last week and his Suns did lose to the Lakers but he has lead Phoenix to first to 10 wins. Take him out of the team and where would the Suns be? He has formed the best pick and roll move with Amar’e and is still one of the players you would go pay to watch. All in all he has been the best player in the league up until this point.

2- Kobe Bryant, 31 PPG, 2.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, .208 3pt%, 2.27 steals.

Kobe dropped 40 points against the Pistons despite having a slight groin strain. It was the 100th time he scored 40 or more taking him to third on the list behind Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan whilst helping the Lakers snap a two-game losing streak. If Kobe hadn’t had injured his groin he would probably be top of the list, but after he couldn’t help the Lakers avoid two defeats in a row, top honours had to go to Nash.

3- Carmelo Anthony, 29.9 PPG, 3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, .360 3pt %, 1.64 steals,

Anthony continues to lead the Nuggets with his dominating play. He scored 32 points in just 30 minutes against the Raptors whilst playing with a migraine and even added five assists. He used to be questioned for his temperament but now the only thing you can question is how high is he going to climb on this list.

4- Dwyane Wade, 28.9 PPG, 5.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, .250 3pt%, 2.30 steals.

Wade’s brutal dunk on Anderson Varejao might be the dunk of the season so far and his game winning shot against the Nets was certainly clutch. But to be top of the list you cannot be held to 22 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He did have six rebounds and seven assists and four steals but five turnovers and a technical foul is not MVP form.

5- LeBron James – 27.8 PPG, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, .354% 3pt, 1.64 steals.

James is just a monster on court, ordinarily his numbers would be more than good enough for MVP, but he has become a victim of his own high standards. To be number one on my list you have to play the best whilst helping your team the most. The Cavs are on a five-game winning streak and James has been the top points scorer in every game this season apart from one. He is beginning to figure how to accommodate Shaq and should soon be in the running for his second MVP title.

6- Dirk Nowitzki, 26.3 PPG, 2.8 assists, 9 rebounds, .344 3pt%, 1.64 blocks

The Mavs are 8-3 thanks to Dirk being, well Dirk. He hit a game winner in overtime against the Bucks to overcome Brandon Jennings’ 55 point game. He needs to start scoring more if he wants to be MVP again but if he continues to hit game winning shots another MVP might await the German.

7- Josh Smith, 16.3 PPG, 3.9 assists, 8.9 rebounds, .586 FG%, 2.55 blocks.

Smith is the youngest player in NBA history to record 900 blocked shots and is leading the league at 2.55 blocks per game. Defence as well as offense will get you on this list and Smith does both. The Hawks lead the east and are a serious contender for the east and Smith will be one of the integral parts of the team if they get far. Joe Johnson might be the best player on the team but is only averaging 23 PPG and offers nothing in the form of defence.  If he can add a little more to his offensive game and the Hawks continue their good run Smith will be much higher in the race.

8- Brandon Jennings, 25,5 PPG, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, .538 3pt%, 1.13 steals.

He is only the fifth rookie in history and the first since 1968 to score 55 points in a game and now holds the record for fewest games into a professional NBA career with a 50 point game. What does this mean? Well if history is anything to go by he will end up being in the Hall of Fame. At the moment though, he is leading the Bucks in scoring and assists and is the reason for the Bucks’ 5-3 start. He is definitely showing MVP form.