In the year of the guard, perennial all-star Jason Kidd has finally taken that last step to becoming the best player in the league. At 34 years of age he set career-highs in points and assists and finished second in assists and first in steals, while leading his team to their second appearance in the conference finals.

Kidd finished three points ahead of Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas. Bryant led the league in scoring with an insane 38.6, but once more failed to make the playoffs.

Arenas was the leader of a strong Suns team, that looked poised for a finals appearance. But late in the season, Arenas went down, and the Sun's season down the drain.