Is it the respect he commands on the basketball court? Or is it his ability to raise the level of his teammates play? Whatever it is, New Orleans Hornet point guard Chris Paul is solidifying himself as one of the greatest point guards in the NBA.Don't be alarmed when the word "great" and Chris Paul are mentioned in the same sentence. The North Carolina native, who is only in his fourth year of the NBA, smashes the idea of what a point guard can bring to a team. Paul's presence on the basketball floor is enormous. From his pinpoint passes to his dissection of NBA defenses, Paul has mastered his point guard position.
In years past, the NBA point guard's sole duty was to initiate their team's offensive sets and occasionally knock down an open jump shot. But things started to change when a guy named Oscar Robertson opened the blind eyes of coaches around the NBA. The "Big O" took it upon himself to bring more to his team. He did that by distributing the basketball, assisting, rebounding, defending and leading his 1971 Milwaukee Bucks team to the NBA championship.
Chris Paul is equipped with all the tools the "Big O" embodied. Paul has the ability to score, pass and defend. But the intangibles are the things that sets him apart from other NBA point guards. Paul's competitive nature and desire to win are things that were instilled into his game as a young child. Constant one-on-one battles in his backyard with his older brother C.J. allowed Chris to develop his feisty edge.
After the completion of his first NBA season, Paul was selected Rookie of the Year, NBA All Rookie First Team and he ran away with the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award in every month for the entire 2005-2006 season. Did I mention he led the Hornets to 20 more wins averaging 16.1 points, 7.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds a game as a rookie. With those eye popping numbers you have to shake your head because Chris Paul was flat out amazing.
The next season Paul elevated his scoring and assists, but people were still skeptical because in his two NBA seasons, Paul never reached the NBA playoffs.
Entering his third year, the Hornets were able to return home to New Orleans for a full NBA season. Since the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans looked for a savior to lift their spirits. Paul delivered right on time as he led New Orleans to an astounding 56-26 regular season record. It was the best record in the franchise history and more importantly New Orleans reached the NBA playoffs.
Some players have jitters when the playoffs come around, the intense environment causes frustration and doubt. But when your name is Chris Paul, you rise to the occasion. Paul set a record for an NBA playoff debut against the San Antonio Spurs scoring 35 points, dishing out 10 assists and picking the Spurs pocket four times. New Orleans ended San Antonio's season, winning 4 games to 1. In the series clinching game, Chris Paul finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists.
The level of play that was orchestrated by Paul in the 2007-2008 NBA season opened everyone's eyes just like Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson was able to. Paul finished second to Kobe Bryant in MVP voting and broke Alvin Roberston's 22 year-old NBA record by stealing the ball at least once in 106 consecutive games
Paul's maturation at the point guard position came quicker than anyone thought. His consistent elite play continues to heighten his already decorated NBA career. The floor general has improved the play of his teammates as well. Forward David West and center Tyson Chandler are playing their best basketball in their NBA careers. Paul and Chandler have been the most successful tandem off the pick and roll since the days of John Stockton and Karl Malone. David West's hard nosed play in the paint made him an all-star during the 2007-2008 season. West fed off Chris Paul's playmaking ability as he averaged 20 points and 8.9 rebounds during his all-star season.
With the addition of James Posey, the Hornets hold a 28-17 record and their regarded as one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season. Paul is averaging 21.5 points, 10.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game, while shooting 49% from the field. CP3 still has his eyes set on winning an NBA title or two with his Hornet teammates and the city of New Orleans is patiently waiting.
Be Peaceful
- Tough luck for Jameer Nelson. The Orlando Magic point guard stellar play allowed him to be selected for his first NBA All-Star game. The bad new is that Nelson tore his right labrum in his shoulder and he may need season ending surgery. Stay positive Jameer!
- Move over MJ! Kobe surpassed "His Airness" as he poured in a ridiculous 61 points at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. The fans gave Kobe an overwhelming applause as he displayed his greatness on the big stage. Bryant finished 19-31 from the field, 20-20 from the free throw line and 3-6 from downtown.
- The 2009 NBA All-Star weekend is next week and the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest has been the most talked about event. Participants include last year's champion Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, Nate Robinson and Rudy Fernandez. I'm just going to put it out there...I have Rudy Gay taking this year's crown!!
2 comments:
CJizzle,
Great read as usual! I really dont have much to say, Chris Paul is the epitome of what a point guard should be. I always knew he would be good, but not this good and not this fast! I still remember when I laughed at Atlanta for not taking him and taking Marvin Williams, even though they already had about 5 Small forwards on they roster (I think the GM was deliberately sabotaging the franchise b/c it will never make sense to not take a proven PG over an unproven SF who averaged just 9ppg off the bench, i'm sure the guy has to have been fired by now, if not, lets start the petition.) I knew CP3 was a game changer but never did I think he would be battling the likes of Kobe and LBJ for MVP!! He a monster...anytime you can make Tyson Chandler a coveted player, you gotta be good! LOL...but thats all I have to say about CP3, true playmaker, gamechanger!! Glad 2 know he will be in the league for another 10-12yrs! Kobe lit up NY for the big 61. ESPN did a poll on his game vs. MJ's 55 back in 95(?). I agree with most of the sport nation who voted that MJ's game was more surprising, even though I think that half the voters are probably MJ lovers and refuse 2 put Kobe anywhere close to him. I think MJ's performance was better b/c the guy hadn't played real ball in a 1 and a half yrs! And to comeback and score 55 in your 5th game back is amazing. Kobe is a beast, but until he has one of these 60+ games against a legitimate contender in a critical game, no one is going to give him his props. MJ had big games in big games!! Kobe dropping 60+ on cellar dwellers! Still remarkable to me, but the sports nation has been spoiled by that MJ guy! Poor Jameer Nelson, but such is life. Now we will see how much of a title contender the Magic will be without him, they better make a trade ASAP if they want to contend. Earl Watson is available!! Last but not least, I'm taking Nate Robinson in the dunk contest. I think he will be DHoward in the finals by using him as a prop and jumping over him. LOL....but for real I want to Rudy Gay to bring home that trophy. Lets just hope he completes his dunks!! CJ, how bout you write a blog about some draft day tweeks!!! Starting with Darko and ending with Sam Bowie!!
Thanks for the comment D'Wayne.
Chris Paul will be a legend when his career is done. The first time I saw him was at the Five-Star basketball camp in Pittsburg. We played against each other and I just remeber Paul being so quick with the basketball. Of course he got the better of me because he's Chris Paul, but I never knew thought he would accomplish all of these awards this early.
The guy is just having his way with oppossing teams. He runs the pick and roll with grace and he's a magician in the open floor. The numbers that he's putting up at this age is jaw dropping. He makes his team better, he encourages his team and he fights for every win he gets. Like my grandfather (Leon Bailey) says "he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played".
What Kobe Bryant did in Madison Square Garden was remarkable. Not to take anything from Kobe's performance, but Michael Jordan's performance was better. I'm a Kobe fan, but you have to look at how Michael dropped 55 points against a Knick team that emphasized defense. Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks and Derek Harper were tough defenders for the Knicks. This was Jordan's fifth game back since his NBA vacancy. Keep in mind that the game came down to the wire and Michael past up an open shot to feed Bill Wennington for a slam dunk to put the Bulls ahead and win the game.
It's a rough situation for Jameer Nelson. The Magic point guard might not choose season ending surgery because he knows his value to his Orlando team. The Magic need to be smart and bring in another point guard. Wayne, Earl Watson would be a good pick-up for them.
I don't know about Nate Robinson winning the slam dunk contest this year. He definitely put on a show in last year's dunk contest, but Rudy Gay is Larry Nance reincarnated. He's long, athletic and creative. And your right Wayne, it's important for the participants to complete their dunks. All that creativity will go down the drain if you don't put the ball through the hole.
I will keep that draft story idea in mind Wayne.
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