Chris Paul: Were does he rank now in the heirarchy?

[technokc]

As good as this kid is he doesnt get the respect he deserves from the casual fan.  I think for anyone who follows the NBA seriously will agree that he is now the best point gaurd in the league.  My question though is were does he stand in terms of best players?  Top 5?  Top 10?  I can only think of two players for sure that are better than him; Kobe and Lebron.

Thoughts

[Dos Equis]

I'd say he had one of the best seasons of any player in the NBA, but it's a little early to put him at the top of the list.  Tony Parker is an NBA Finals MVP.  So is Duncan.  Nash is a two-time league MVP.  Dwight Howard is a beast.  Deron Williams is a player.  Kidd is a walking triple double.  Bosh might be the best player nobody ever talks about.   

[technokc]

I'd say he had one of the best seasons of any player in the NBA, but it's a little early to put him at the top of the list.  Tony Parker is an NBA Finals MVP.  So is Duncan.  Nash is a two-time league MVP.  Dwight Howard is a beast.  Deron Williams is a player.  Kidd is a walking triple double.  Bosh might be the best player nobody ever talks about.   

Im just thinking in terms right now and not overall careers, Nash, Duncan, and Kidd are better players over their career, but if Im starting a team today I wouldnt take them over Paul.  Parker is great and is pretty comparable.  My only problem with Howard is that he is somtimes inconsistent with his effort, though he is getting better at it.  Of course I love Deron since he's on my Jazz, but I think Paul is slightly ahead of him.  You make a good point with Bosh, brother gets no love, looks like he could have a career similiar to KG.

Like I said though there are players comparable to Paul, but only Kobe and Lebron stands out as for sure better.

[Dos Equis]

Im just thinking in terms right now and not overall careers, Nash, Duncan, and Kidd are better players over their career, but if Im starting a team today I wouldnt take them over Paul.  Parker is great and is pretty comparable.  My only problem with Howard is that he is somtimes inconsistent with his effort, though he is getting better at it.  Of course I love Deron since he's on my Jazz, but I think Paul is slightly ahead of him.  You make a good point with Bosh, brother gets no love, looks like he could have a career similiar to KG.

Like I said though there are players comparable to Paul, but only Kobe and Lebron stands out as for sure better.

I pretty much agree.  If I were starting a team today, with the current group of players in the league, he would probably be my point guard. 

Don't forget about a healthy D-Wade. 

[Tre]

 I like D-Wade as a person, but right now, this is CP's world...and no one else is even close.

He almost single-handedly dismantled the Spurs in the 4th quarter tonite.  Even though Tim Duncan had a really bad game, the Hornets should win this series. 

Around the corner and assuming they get there, I don't know that the Lakers have an answer for him. 

This is a great year to be an NBA fan.

[CARTEL]

It was David West that single-handedly dismantled the Spurs.

And the double and triple teams of Duncan. Good game for the Hornets.

[Dos Equis]

The Hornets don't have an answer for Kobe.  Neither does the rest of the NBA. 

But CP3 is a player. 

[CARTEL]

The Hornets don't have an answer for Kobe.  Neither does the rest of the NBA. 

But CP3 is a player. 

Nobody has ever had an answer for Kobe for the last 5 or 6 years.

I don't think the Lakers have an answer for West or Paul. That doesn't mean that you win. You just have to exploit the other matchups.

[MB_722]

The lakers have good defence.

Like any team they can get sloppy. The Laker's are good.

[CARTEL]

I think the Lakers offense is their strong point.

Their pretty weak down low which can get exploited by pretty much any team still playing in the West. As good as Gasol is on the offense, he get's manhandled by the better power forwards and centers. The Lakers will be looking to outscore the other teams.

It's pretty scary to think how good they will be next year if Bynum returns healthy and hungry like he was this year. That would help to sure up their biggest weakness.

[americanbulldog]

Historically speaking, Bonzi Wells has always matched up well with Kobe.  Kobe will score his 25 against Bonzi, but will have to work for it.  CP has made EVERYONE on that team better.  He creates space by drawing double teams, and runs the screen roll as good as any 1.  Chandler, West and Peja are all better because of him. 

[CARTEL]

AK 47 seems to make Kobe work pretty hard. He is the only guy I have ever seen block two of Kobes fade away jumpers back to back.

[Faust]

To me it's unbelievable that a guy who is only 6ft is so dominant.
D. Wade is only 6"3 as well, but those three inches make a lot of difference.

I don't think Paul is underrated though, isn't he a MVP fav?

I can see the lakers winning it this year. Gasol isn't as good as shaq in his prime, but he might be good enough to assist kobe to the title.

[Dos Equis]

I'm more concerned about the Spurs than the Hornets.  Gasol would have trouble with Duncan.  Chandler doesn't score much.  Peja is completely one dimensional and isn't a very good defender.  The Spurs have a better bench than the Hornets.   

Regarding defending Kobe, the only player I've ever seen give Kobe trouble consistently was Prince in the NBA Finals.  He has torched Bowen and Raja Bell, both first team all NBA defense.  I have seen him dunk on Duncan and David Robinson.  I've seen him shoot jumpers over Yao Ming.  He is the best offensive player I've ever seen.  I can't think of another player with his offensive versatility.  He's just impossible to guard one-on-one. 

I've always maintained that all Kobe needed was another all star caliber player to start winning championships.  That pretty much happened with Bynum's enormous improvement and then with the trade for Gasol. 

I think we have a shot this year, but I'm even more excited about next season with Bynum and Ariza back. 

[CARTEL]

An offensive player always has the advantage over the defense. Kobe will torch anybody one on one no matter who it is.

The same can be said for Lebron, T-mac, Wade, Melo, Howard, etc.

Kobe can do it so many ways though and he gets the MJ calls for him. That meaning you can barely look at him and the whistle will blow sending him to the line.

Congrats to him on winning the MVP. It was deserved.

[MidniteRambo]

Congrats to him on winning the MVP. It was deserved.

Long-deserved

[technokc]

Damn my Jazz fell apart in the first half, played well in the second.  Boozer with 7 turnovers is not acceptable, Im starting to think that he is a regular season player, not the first time he played like shit in the playoffs.  We will see in game 2.

[Dos Equis]

Damn my Jazz fell apart in the first half, played well in the second.  Boozer with 7 turnovers is not acceptable, Im starting to think that he is a regular season player, not the first time he played like shit in the playoffs.  We will see in game 2.

They had about four different guys try to guard Kobe.  After the end of the first quarter Sloan said they need to have the whole team guard him.    

They need to send about three guys at him and make the other four guys beat them. 

[body88]

Long-deserved

That's why he is getting it. Chris Paul is the clear MVP this year, IMO. I don't mind that Kobe is going to win it, but it's more for all the things he has done over his career. How can't they give him an MVP considering how good he is? Kobe should have won it in the past, and they are going to give it to him this year.

I'm not saying the guy is not the best player in the NBA, he is. But that's not what the MVP is all about. Kobe is the closest thing to MJ there is, but no one was more valuable to his team than Chris Paul. Kobe is crazy good, and he gets all the calls to. What did he go to the line 27 times the other night. That's just ludicrous!

[UPINTHEMGUTS]

Players of Kobe's magnitude earn those calls by the 'star system' in the NBA.

Jordan got the same treatment after 6 years in the league.

[Dos Equis]

That's why he is getting it. Chris Paul is the clear MVP this year, IMO. I don't mind that Kobe is going to win it, but it's more for all the things he has done over his career. How can't they give him an MVP considering how good he is? Kobe should have won it in the past, and they are going to give it to him this year.

I'm not saying the guy is not the best player in the NBA, he is. But that's not what the MVP is all about. Kobe is the closest thing to MJ there is, but no one was more valuable to his team than Chris Paul. Kobe is crazy good, and he gets all the calls to. What did he go to the line 27 times the other night. That's just ludicrous!

He should be at the line about 20 times every game.  The refs don't give him quite a few calls, which is why he led the league in technicals this year. 

But the award is for the best player in the league, not the player most valuable to their team.  Kobe was stellar all season.  He was second in the league in scoring and will be first team all NBA defense again.  Who does that?

Also, Bynum missed a substantial part of the season and Gasol missed a number of games after joining the team the second half of the season and the Lakers still finished with the best record in the toughest conference in years.   

[americanbulldog]

That's why he is getting it. Chris Paul is the clear MVP this year, IMO. I don't mind that Kobe is going to win it, but it's more for all the things he has done over his career. How can't they give him an MVP considering how good he is? Kobe should have won it in the past, and they are going to give it to him this year.

I'm not saying the guy is not the best player in the NBA, he is. But that's not what the MVP is all about. Kobe is the closest thing to MJ there is, but no one was more valuable to his team than Chris Paul. Kobe is crazy good, and he gets all the calls to. What did he go to the line 27 times the other night. That's just ludicrous!

Chris Paul has made David West better, Tyson Chandler better, and has rejunated Peja, who is only good at running toward the spot and awaiting the pass for an open jumper.  Kobe's game, at times, does not make others around him better.  He is by far the best talent in the league.  He can lockdown any player and make them a non factor, but too often, the Lakers are not cutting toward the hole when Kobe draws the double and triple teams, and he can't make that ONE additional pass for an open jumper or lay up. 

[body88]

Chris Paul has made David West better, Tyson Chandler better, and has rejunated Peja, who is only good at running toward the spot and awaiting the pass for an open jumper.  Kobe's game, at times, does not make others around him better.  He is by far the best talent in the league.  He can lockdown any player and make them a non factor, but too often, the Lakers are not cutting toward the hole when Kobe draws the double and triple teams, and he can't make that ONE additional pass for an open jumper or lay up. 

I agree. Kobe is cleary the most talented player in the NBA. His jumper and defensive skills are much better than Lebrons IMO, but I think Paul is this year's MVP.

That said, I understand why Kobe is going to win it.

[2ND COMING]

there's a simple way to defend paul

abuse his ass in the paint...

since the nba has transitioned to a no hand check, princess game, sadly this most likley will not be seen

 

[technokc]

there's a simple way to defend paul

abuse his ass in the paint...

since the nba has transitioned to a no hand check, princess game, sadly this most likley will not be seen

 

Thats why Im hoping my Jazz can get pass the lakers, we seem to match up well with the hornets.  Deron is definetly stronger than Paul and take him down low.  That being said I don't know if we get pass the Lake Show.