It is really perplexing to me. Nash isn’t the fastest or the most athletic, but he might just be the most clairvoyant. I haven’t seen any player who creates so many scoring opportunities. A 20-plus assist night is becoming so common for Nash that I am waiting for him to crack 30.

But while Nash has been phenomenal this year, this might be his hardest year to corral the MVP award. Once again, the great players of the NBA are staking their claim for the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Unlike the NFL, this is not a one-horse race. Instead, this might be the most open it has been in years with Duncan, Bryant and Garnett and a bevy of young guns who stand between Nash and immortality.    

Just like in the Westerns, the young and spry shooter comes into town disturbs the serenity of the ol’ gunslinger. Well in this case Nash’s Billy the Kids -- Gilbert Arenas, Wade, Lebron and Carmelo Anthony are taking no prisoners. Theses four young gunners are looking to replace the wise and cunning veteran atop the MVP-heap. Anthony, the maligned superstar, was the playing the best ball of any player before his Big Apple Meltdown. Anthony leads the league in scoring at 31.6 PPG and has been out due to suspension. When Anthony gets back he will have very little time to regain his footing in the MVP race, but he is very much not out of it. Anthony’s team is known for ripping off games in bunches after the All-Star break under George Karl. Plus with the possibility that no one on his team will make the All-Star team, that should give the Nuggets a huge advantage after the break. Anthony should use his All-Star snub as motivation and the extra time to acquaint himself with his new teammate, Allen Iverson.

Wade has been quietly putting together some solid wins since his return from wrist injury. Wade is the heart and soul of an aging franchise. While Dwayne is supposed to be Robin to Shaq’s Batman, the latter now finds himself at an unfamiliar crossroad as second fiddle. So, Wade now has the platform to display his extraordinary abilities and propel himself to the forefront of the race.

James, the hyped superstar, has his team in position to snag the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Before, I go on I would like to note that the East isn’t exactly the ACC of the NBA. Anyway, James has more witnesses than a Judge Judy case and is turning into a triple-double machine. James averages 26 points, six rebounds and six assists per game. If the Cavs ride his greatness all the way to the top seed, Lebron’s supporters would call for someone’s head if he wasn’t named MVP.

Arenas, the wildcard, is playing at an uncanny rate. Arenas, aka Agent Zero, has been lethal. If he was in MI6, he would have already earned his double-O status. Arenas is the second best combo guard in the NBA, only behind Wade. Arenas’ game is extraordinary: He drives to the hole with such valor and shoots jumpers like he has a license to kill nylons. Arenas’ killer instinct is similar to Michael Jordan’s. Arenas is a “If there is only one shot needed to win the game, you have done your team injustice by not putting the ball in my hands!” type of player. He has already added a couple good notches on his belt by snuffing Kobe and the Lakers with 60 points and hanging 51 points and a game winner on Mr. Nash’s Suns.

As we quickly approach the halfway point, Nash’s competition is closing in quick on the wily veteran. But just like in the movies, the veteran gunslinger always finds a way to be the last man standing.