The secret behind Chris Paul’s uncanny ability to see the entire floor, whip passes through improbable creases, find just enough wiggle room for a pull-up jumper in pick-and-rolls and toss the most delectable lobs is simpler than one might expect. Paul had no problem sharing what has helped him claim the unofficial title as NBA’s best point guard for the past few seasons.
“I tell people all the time. Fortunately, I’ve always been short, so I’ve only played one position, so I’ve been point guard since I was 5 years old, so I’ve had a lot of training,” Paul said.
Now 29 and leading a Los Angeles Clippers team that has yet to distinguish itself in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, Paul is the measuring point for all competitors at his position. Paul wrestled that title from Steve Nash after the two-time most valuable player was betrayed by his aging body, but Paul’s claim to it is under attack nearly every time he steps on the floor — from pit bulls looking to overwhelm him with speed and athleticism (Russell Westbrook and John Wall), sharpshooters looking to outscore him (Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving), steady playmakers and setup men (Rajon Rondo and Ty Lawson), tenacious defenders (Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry) and up-and-comers looking to embarrass him with wicked crossover dribbles (Kemba Walker).
Wall had his matchup with Paul targeted for weeks, knowing what a quality performance would mean for his burgeoning reputation around the league as an elite player at his position. After forcing Paul into an uncharacteristic six turnovers – including twice poking the ball off Paul’s leg – and making a vile remark to officials about the level of respect Paul receives from them, Wall won his first head-to-head matchup against the fellow North Carolina native.
“It’s like that every night,” said Paul, who ranks third behind Nash and Andre Miller in assists among active players with 6,345. “It’s the toughest position in the league. It’s year 10 for me, so I’m kind of used to it.”
Paul continues to find ways to separate himself from some worthy, hungry and younger competition. Already the only point guard in NBA history to average 18 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals in four different seasons – Isiah Thomas is the only other player to reach those numbers at least one time in a season — Paul is distributing and protecting the ball better than he has at any time in his career with a league-best and career-high assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.76-to-1.
Before an unusual two-game patch in which he had 12 combined turnovers against Washington and Milwaukee, Paul was on pace to become the first player since Muggsy Bogues – a fellow Wake Forest alum – to average at least nine assists and fewer than two turnovers per game.
“I pride myself on that, making the right decisions, passing the ball, ball-handling. I don’t let anybody steal it from me or nothing like that,” said Paul, who is the only player among the top five in assists with fewer than 50 turnovers this season.
The Clippers are not a great defensive team and need to be elite offensively if they are going to do anything in the playoffs. With Paul at the helm and limiting miscues, the Clippers currently rank fourth in offensive efficiency (106.7 points per 100 possessions) and second in field goal percentage (48.1).
“We’re good offensively, so I think a turnover for us hurts us more than other teams,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said.
