Apr 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots the ball during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Paul
Chris Paul was drafted in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets and is arguably currently the best point guard in the NBA. Paul in his six seasons with New Orleans became the All-Time leader in multiple statistical categories and is second All-Time in categories such as points, games played, minutes played, field goals, and field goal attempts. Second only to David West, who only bested Paul because of his longevity with the franchise.
The one blemish on Paul’s resume however is that he has never even reached the Conference Finals for being such a spectacular player. Many thought that the all the doubters were put to rest after Paul made a series clinching buzzer beater against the defending Champions San Antonio Spurs in one of the most exciting Round One match-ups ever.
Unfortunately Paul’s Los Angeles Clippers gave up a 3-1 series lead to the Houston Rockets in the Second Round. The massive collapse marked the ninth time in NBA history that a team was able to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Despite the lack of Playoffs success, Paul already has enough accolades to go into the Hall of Fame right now, if his career was to end today.
Paul is already the 26th All-Time in total steals recorded with 1,641 career steals, and it is not out of the question for Paul to finish his career in the top ten, possibly top five of this category. Paul just turned 30 years old in May; hypothetically let’s say he plays another seven years, with 70 games played each year (moderately conservative given Paul’s injury track record). Paul currently stands at third All-Time in steals per game at 2.35, let’s hypothetically say he averages a very conservative 1.5 steals per game the rest of his career. This would put Paul at 2,376 total steals (1,641+ (7x70x1.5)), which would put Paul top five in steals All-Time above Maurice Cheek’s 2,310 career total steals.
Not only is Paul third All-Time in steals per game, Paul is also third All-Time in assists per game at 9.94. Paul is currently the 16th All-Time in total steals recorded with 6,950 career assists. If we use the same hypothetical numbers for games played and used a conservative of 7 assist per game the rest of his career, Paul would be vaulted to third All-Time in total assists recorded with 10,380 assists (6950+(7x70x7)). This would put Paul past the likes of Steve Nash (10,335), Magic Johnson (10,141), and Isiah Thomas (9,061). Again this is all hypothetical but there is no doubt that Paul is a great point guard, and only time will tell just how great. Paul has plenty of time to right his Playoff’s demons and be mentioned as one of the best point guards of All-Time.
List of Achievements
- 8× NBA All-Star (2008–2015)
- 4× All-NBA First Team (2008, 2012–2014)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (2009, 2015)
- All-NBA Third Team (2011)
- 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009, 2012–2015)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008, 2011)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2006)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2006)
- 4× NBA assists leader (2008–2009, 2014–2015)
- 6× NBA steals leader (2008–2009, 2011–2014)
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in points in a season
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in assists
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in assists per game
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in assists in a season
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in steals
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in steals per game
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in steals in a season
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in free throws made
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in free throws made in a season
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in free throws attempted
- New Orleans’ All-Time leader in free throws attempted in a season
Next: The Greatest 4th Overall Pick