It was just a matter of time. The moment word got out, long before it became official, that Steve Nash had won his second straight MVP award, the discussions began. How does Nash compare to the other great point guards in NBA history, especially since so few of them have ever won even one MVP, much less two, much less two in a row?

How does he rank against Jason Kidd? Gary Payton? How wide should the "point guard'' net be cast? Does Allen Iverson count? Some insist that Magic Johnson doesn't count, because his size and the way he was used totally skews the chart. And does any of it mean anything as long as Nash has failed to even get his team to the Finals - and might not get it out of the second round this year, if last night's loss to the Clippers at home is any indication?

This has been buzzing around NBA arenas, on talk shows and in at least one newsroom (guess which one) in recent days. Now, ESPN.com has flung itself into the debate. Its rankings, in order: Magic, Oscar, Isiah, Stockton, Cousy, Clyde, Kidd, Tiny, Nash, Payton. Nine other players received at least one vote from its 10-member panel of ex-players, coaches and media.

Surprising in how far out of the race he finished: Lenny Wilkens, who was second in the "also receiving votes'' rankings behind Jerry West, whose claim to the position is a little tenuous (one of those old-school players who was just a guard, not a point or off-guard).

A pleasant surprise to see him ranked high: Bob Cousy, who was way ahead of his time, but who played almost so long ago it's easy for him to be overlooked. There's a story out there, which might be an urban legend, that when the first draft of the 50 Greatest Players was done back in 1996, Cousy was left out, forcing an instant re-vote.

Meanwhile, Payton definitely won't be happy to be behind any of these players.

As for the instigator of this whole thing, Nash? Try as you might, it's really, really hard to argue where he's placed. It's amazing, because before last season, the first MVP season, putting him in this company would have been a joke, like trying to include Kevin Porter or Rod Strickland. Very good player, in the upper echelon among his peers and even slightly overlooked - but top 10 of all time? No freakin' way. Then again, he is the only player in this particular top 10 who has not been to the Finals.

Anyway, that's one website's opinion. It's something to talk about on a day with no NBA playoff games. Great. Now I guess I have to read a book or something.