Steve Nash: World’s Most Influential Athlete?

Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world includes, as far as I’ve been able to glean, just three athletes: Most notably, Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns point guard (Sadly, all of the Sports Law Blog team has been snubbed by Time, something we will surely aim to remedy next year).

While it’s hard to take issue with the caliber of Time’s guest correspondent, “Sir” Charles Barkley, no where in his brief ditty does Sir Charles actually opine that Nash has had any particular influence. In fact, Barkley indicates that “maybe” Nash will “inspire a whole new generation of kids to pass out of double teams the way he does.” Perhaps true that Nash, unlike the Marbury/Iverson model, represents what a point guard should be. But clearly, watching the playoffs, Nash has not been influential. And until that new generation starts passing, I think it premature to wax ineloquent about Nash’s influence.

The other athlete included is Olympic speed skater Joey Cheek, who donated his bonus money (admirably) to a charity group. Again, while admirable, how influential has his example been?

I’m more optimistic about Time’s third influential athlete, Michelle Wie, who has the distinction of attending my high school. Also, she's pretty good at golf.

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