Steve Nash also rates off the court.

The two-time MVP won his first Magic Johnson Award Monday. The Pro Basketball Writers Association gives the honor to the player who combines excellence on the court with cooperation with media and fans.

Writes Paul Coro of Arizona Republic:

Nash, who finished ninth in MVP voting announced Saturday, is as accommodating with the media as any superstar has been. Nash is respectful, thoughtful and obliging with reporters. He is often forthright in his responses and does not evade the media on difficult days. With fans and visitors, Nash talks to them with sincerity and does what he can within the team’s or a game day schedule’s constraints to acknowledge them, take pictures with them or sign autographs.

Nash beat out Manu Ginobili and Chris Paul for the award. Do that means those players have to suck up to the media more next year?

Previously, the PBWA also chose Boston coach Doc Rivers for the Rudy Tomjanovich Award, given to the coach who best combines excellence in his craft with cooperation with the media and fans. The Brian McIntyre Award for a public relations staff’s cooperation with the media went to Dan Smyzek and his staff in Milwaukee.