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Is Chris Paul becoming the greatest statistical point guard ever? By John Nguyen
01.28.2009 - Updated on 01.28.2009
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Yep this even includes Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, and the Big “O” Oscar Robertson.
Please note: this is not about impact on the court. If such was the case then Magic dominates this with flying colors because his size presents mismatches and his versatility is probably the best of any era.
But I have never seen any point guard grabbing steals at an efficient rate that Paul does it. I didn’t get to see John Stockton during 1987 – 1992 because the Utah Jazz wasn’t on national television that much and I was too young, but I can see Stockton was at his best statistically during those years.
- 1987 - 1988 – 14.7 pts, 13.8 assists, 3 steals, 2.9 rebounds
- 1988 - 1989 – 17.1 pts, 13.6 assists, 3.2 steals, 3 rebounds
- 1989 – 1990 – 17.2 pts, 14.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 2.6 rebounds
- 1990 – 1991 – 17.2 pts, 14.2 assists, 2.9 steals, 2.9 rebounds
- 1991 – 1992 – 15.8 pts, 13.7 assists, 3 steals, 3.3 rebounds
During this 5 season stretch, Stock demolished Isiah Thomas. Steve Nash can’t see this guy. He even beat Magic in assists and steals average. Why didn’t he win multiple MVPs like Nash? He was cursed to play in an era featuring Mike, Magic, and Larry. That’s not his fault.
Despite those statistical averages being disturbingly disgusting, Stock started hitting full swing when he was the age of 25.
Chris Paul began his stride last season at the age of 22.
Why am I choosing John Stockton for comparison instead of Isiah, Kidd, or Magic? His numbers resemble Stock’s the most. Kidd didn’t average as many assists. Zeke is a great scorer, but didn’t average that much assists or steals. Magic is a super triple double machine, but didn’t rack up assists and steals like Paul and Stock at this point.
Just the other day against the Philadelphia Sixers, Chris Paul went off again with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, and 7 steals. He was 3 steals short of a quadruple double. He was playing passing lanes, timing steals when they’re not looking, or hustling putting on scrappy D with his quick hands. This doesn’t mean that he’s a great defensive player in anyway like Kidd and Payton used to be or how Rondo is doing it now.
And this isn’t the first time he’s played like that.
- Against Jason Kidd on 1-14-2009: 33 pts, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 7 steals.
- Against Kobe and the Lakers on 12-23-2008: 17 pts, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 6 steals.
- The game before on 12-20-2008: 34 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 8 steals.
This kid is insane. If he keeps this up, he will up there with Stock matching assist for assist, steal for steal. He’s already a far superior scorer than Kidd, Magic, and Stock. He’s actually rivaling Gary Payton and Tim Hardaway in that department. He already has 5 triple doubles this year. He can grab 5 more and if he’s lucky, he’s due for a quadruple-double.
Please note. Paul is only 23 years young. In his first 4 years, he has surpassed Stockton’s first 4 years.He just has to stay injury free.
Also do not forget that Paul is a much better rebounder than Stock ever was.
In my mind, a quadruple double >>>>> 50 triple double games.
Why? Because only 4 men have accomplished this feat ONLY ONCE in their careers. It’s extremely difficult to do. Everything has to be in place and the player has to be a little bit lucky.
Chris Paul has the potential to grab a few of those games. It’s just too scary. He’s not anything near his potential yet either. Good lord have mercy!
People will say, "Well Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double and Magic got so many triple double games."
Well, what if Chris Paul became the new quadruple double king? Outrageous? Yes, but Chris Paul has shown that he has the potential to do it. He’s been close a couple of times and he’s managed to get 6-8 steals a few times. His career high is 9 steals.
Is Chris Paul becoming the greatest statistical point guard ever? Yes. It depends on management to build a better team around him. Stock got to have Karl Malone. Last time I checked, David West is no Mailman.
Another question to ask: who will be the first to get a quadruple double: Lebron or CP3?
[image:http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekilby/3105886355/] |
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Posted by
barack obama
on 02.23.2009 | serious dudes??? cp3 is easily the best pg of all time.... and is only 23 years old!! no player has ever averaged 22 12 6 3 in a year before... sorry laker groupies... magic dont hold a candle to CP... . | Posted by
on 02.5.2009 | WHATDAHELL, this isn’t about beating some "team" in a Western Conference Finals playoff series. This is about stats. . | Posted by
WHATDAHELL
on 02.2.2009 | CP3 IS NICE. STATS ARE NICE. BUT LOSING IN THE PLAYOFFS IS NOT NICE. STOP HYPING THESE GUYS UP OFF REGULAR SEASON GAMES. YOU MAKE YOUR NAME IN THE PLAYOFFS. WHAT GOOD IS A QUADRUPLE DOUBLE IF YOU CANT BEAT THE LAKERS OR SPURS IN A 7 GAME SERIES. WE ALREADY KNOW EVERYONE IN THE NBA IS VERY GOOD. BUT DONT CALL THEM "GREAT" UNTIL THEY WIN SOMETHING. STOCKTON AT HOME NOW THINKIN ABOUT SIGNING WITH THE CELTICS FOR ONE YEAR JUST TO GET A RING. WINNING IS EVERYTHING OR DID WE FORGET THAT AND JUST GO FOR THE MONEY AND FAME. . | Posted by
Stockton was the dickau before dickau
on 01.30.2009 | How would you rate Dan Dickau in the scheme of things? He’s so good he can’t play in the NBA because there’s no competition left... Dickau 4 lyfe! . | Posted by
J.Nguyen
on 01.29.2009 | Chris Worthy, I would take Magic, too but this isn’t about "who makes players around him better." This is about stats for a point guard...and Chris Paul is actually beating Magic in the assists, steals, and points category through their first 4 years. The only thing Magic has on him is rebounds, but that’s obvious.
CP3 is the best stat pg today. He’s surpassing Kidd easily. I’d rather see someone grab steals at a high clip than rebounds. Thanks for commenting, Chris Worthy. . | Posted by
Chris Worthy
on 01.28.2009 | I’d still take Magic Johnson any day. He was more skilled at making the other 4 players on the court better. . | Posted by
dahsh
on 01.28.2009 | CP3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . |
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