By BOB BAUMAP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) – Steve Nash edged Shaquille O’Neal by 34 points to win the NBA’s most valuable player award, the fourth-closest margin since the media began determining the winner in 1980-81. The decision was first reported Friday, but the official announcement Sunday detailed the balloting by a panel of 127 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada. Nash, who led Phoenix to an NBA-best 62 victories in his first season with the Suns, received 1,066 points. O’Neal, who left the Los Angeles Lakers for Miami and helped the Heat to the best record in the Eastern Conference, received 1,032. Players received 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth and one for fifth. Nash received 65 first-place votes to O’Neal’s 58. The NBA assist leader at 11.5 a game, Nash is the sixth guard to win the award, joining Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. Nash’s close friend Dirk Nowitski of Dallas was a distant third in the balloting with 349 points, followed by Tim Duncan (328) of San Antonio and Allen Iverson (240) of Philadelphia. Nash is the first player to lead the league in assists and be named MVP since Johnson in 1987.
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Lakeside Defeats Ridgeline 55-41, Advances To Girls 3A Quarterfinals
In a decisive victory at the Tacoma Dome, the Lakeside Lions emerged triumphant over the Ridgeline Falcons with a 55-41 win, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A girls state basketball tournament. Kaliya Woodard led the charge with 23 points, including several pivotal three-pointers that helped Lakeside pull ahead.
