Why does Steve Nash get a free pass?

A caveat, regular readers will know that I have an almost unhealthy dislike of the Suns and vehemently disagreed with Steve Nash as MVP the last few seasons.

Currently I’m watching the Suns-Spurs Game 4. Phoenix is playing its ass off, but hey, when you’re down 3-0 maybe you should do that? Assuming this series ends as it should (with the Spurs getting it done), that would mean the Suns have been punted from the playoffs AGAIN before the NBA Finals (much less an actual championship). When you have a two-time NBA MVP on your team who is in the prime of his career, usually that would mean you’re getting ripped apart in the press for not being able to win when it counts. But for some reason, nobody gives Steve Nash shit for that. Why?

There are a couple of simple explanations. I’m interested to hear what other people think it is:

1) “Oh, Nash isn’t really like Lebron or Kobe or somebody like that. He needs the others around him to step up to win at that level.” Well, in that case, why the HELL was he the MVP before?

2) “Nash is white, so we don’t get on him.” I’m sorry, to me this seems like the only other logical explanation.

The bottom line is that nobody (the media, fans, etc.) seems to hold Steve Nash to the same standards we hold other NBA MVP’s. When he loses nobody’s surprised and nobody calls him a choke. Ask yourself, honestly, why is that?