Ian WhiteBetter than Magic?
March 18th 2008 22:29
I kicked my feet up on my worn couch to increase my comfort level. My eyes were glued to the basketball game currently being shown in HD on my moderately sized screen. The New Orleans Hornets were beating the defending champion Spurs...Badly. I watched in my now usual state of awe as Chris Paul effortlessly made speedster Tony Parker appear as if he were standing still, faked perennial All Defensive Team member Tim Duncan into the air, and easily lay the ball in. This was a running theme. One of the best defensive teams in basketball was being absolutely torched on both ends of the floor by this 6 nothing 3rd year point guard. They try to take away the drive on the pick and roll, so he hits a 20 footer. He does this a few more times, then shows it doesn't matter and runs past the help only to kick it out to Morris Peterson for a wide open three. He makes the shot. Manu Ginobli attempts to get in on the action offensively. Paul strips him, fast break. Tony Parker tries to take it to Paul with his formidable speed...CP3 strips him too. I soon realized that I wasn't just watching a talented guard having a good night. I was watching history being updated, the future sending me a teaser. Chris Paul is going to be the best point guard of all time.
I can here it now:
"That's crazy, its too early."
"He good, but not all that."
"Deron WIlliams is better."
I would of course respond with laughter to all of the above, particularly the last one. The fact that he's this good, this early only reinforces my beliefs. Look at Steve Nash. It took him till he was in his 30's with a offense moulded around him and 2 allstar big men before he took off. Let's look at how Chris Paul started off. In his rookie of the year landslide, Paul
averaged 16 points, 7.8 assists, 2.2 steals, 43% from the field, 28% from 3, 84% from the line. How does that matchup with Magic, Isiah, and Stockton's first years?
Magic: 18 points, 7.3 assists, 2.4 steals, 53% from the field, 22% from 3, 81% from the line.
Isiah: 17 points, 7.8 assists, 2.1 steals. 42% from the field, 28% from 3, 70% from the line.
Stockton: 5.6 points, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 47% from the field, 18% from 3, 73% from the line.
Through three year's, Paul is averaging 18 points, 9 assists, 2.3 steals, 45% from the field, 33% from 3, and 84% from the foul line. And in case you aren't stat checking this year:
21.6 points, 11.3 assists, 2.7 steals, 49% from the field, 36% from 3 point range, 86% from the line.
One word comes to mind...Sick. Already there is nothing this kid can't do. He's a lockdown defender, he plays the passing lanes like Iverson without giving up easy baskets by making bad gambles. He's one of the best foul shooters, he can knock down the three, the mid-range shot, attack the rim at will, and is one of the best passers I've ever seen. Then to top it all off...HE MAKES HIS TEAMATES BETTER. Peja was looking like one shooting slump followed by surgery away from early retirement, West was a nobody, Chandler was hovering on bust, and this team received no consideration for the playoffs. Now they are one of the top squads in the most difficult conference of all time. Chris Paul is doing this without Malone, without Kareem, without a hall of fame supporting cast. He's infected these guys with confidence and a winning attitude that has done them wonders. And if they win it all, CP3 can't be denied his props. He could even realistically add an MVP trophy next to his ROY honor. You are looking at the future ladies and gentlemen. Lebron has witnesses, but Paul's will testify. When you mention greatest point guards of all time, Chris Paul's is the first face that will enter your mind's eye. He isn't the next Isiah, Magic, Stockton, or Cousy. This young man stands alone.
I can here it now:
"That's crazy, its too early."
"He good, but not all that."
"Deron WIlliams is better."
I would of course respond with laughter to all of the above, particularly the last one. The fact that he's this good, this early only reinforces my beliefs. Look at Steve Nash. It took him till he was in his 30's with a offense moulded around him and 2 allstar big men before he took off. Let's look at how Chris Paul started off. In his rookie of the year landslide, Paul
Magic: 18 points, 7.3 assists, 2.4 steals, 53% from the field, 22% from 3, 81% from the line.
Isiah: 17 points, 7.8 assists, 2.1 steals. 42% from the field, 28% from 3, 70% from the line.
Stockton: 5.6 points, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 47% from the field, 18% from 3, 73% from the line.
Through three year's, Paul is averaging 18 points, 9 assists, 2.3 steals, 45% from the field, 33% from 3, and 84% from the foul line. And in case you aren't stat checking this year:
21.6 points, 11.3 assists, 2.7 steals, 49% from the field, 36% from 3 point range, 86% from the line.
One word comes to mind...Sick. Already there is nothing this kid can't do. He's a lockdown defender, he plays the passing lanes like Iverson without giving up easy baskets by making bad gambles. He's one of the best foul shooters, he can knock down the three, the mid-range shot, attack the rim at will, and is one of the best passers I've ever seen. Then to top it all off...HE MAKES HIS TEAMATES BETTER. Peja was looking like one shooting slump followed by surgery away from early retirement, West was a nobody, Chandler was hovering on bust, and this team received no consideration for the playoffs. Now they are one of the top squads in the most difficult conference of all time. Chris Paul is doing this without Malone, without Kareem, without a hall of fame supporting cast. He's infected these guys with confidence and a winning attitude that has done them wonders. And if they win it all, CP3 can't be denied his props. He could even realistically add an MVP trophy next to his ROY honor. You are looking at the future ladies and gentlemen. Lebron has witnesses, but Paul's will testify. When you mention greatest point guards of all time, Chris Paul's is the first face that will enter your mind's eye. He isn't the next Isiah, Magic, Stockton, or Cousy. This young man stands alone.
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28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals, 51% from the field, 17% from 3 point range, and 84% from the line.