I know, I know, I'm getting ahead of myself. I've already professed my love for watching CP3 play basketball and I'm trying not to let that get in the way, but I honestly think the Hornets guard is on pace to become one of the greatest ever.
Once thing to keep in mind before immediately ruling out Paul as potentially one of the best, is that today is just his 23rd birthday.
Since it's impossible to compare him to Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson, both dubbed point guards, we'll have to adjust our statement to smaller, prototypical point guards.
Bob Cousy, Isiah Thomas and John Stockton. Can we agree those are the three best?
At the same point in time, Thomas had a similar breakout season, averaging 22 ppg and 11 assists.
It's a little more difficult to compare Cousy's stats, and we all know statistics aren't the best comparison, but just for fun he averaged 21 and 7 at the same state of their careers. Stockton averaged 7 and 7, didn't breakout until the age of 25.
The one achievement none of these three legends accomplished early in their careers was taking their teams far into the playoffs. If Paul could possibly quarterback the Hornets into the NBA finals, you'd have a hard time arguing against the fact he's on pace to be one of the best point guards ever.
Getting back to the present, Paul's 30 points and 12 assists was the first 30 and 10 game against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs in 11 seasons. He has 25 assists and just 3 turnovers in the first two games against the defending champs.
We'll see how he plays on the road in SA, but what's been most impressive and a true sign of greatness, is that CP3 had been up for the physical play of Bruce Bowen and the other Spurs trying to sneak in a few jabs. You can see how badly he wants to win, and more times than not, has been getting in a few shoulders and elbows of his own.
Kobe can have his MVP trophy, and he'll definitely go down as one of the best ever, but it's time to start acknowledging the pace Paul is on as well. Perhaps he'll get his own lifetime achievement award down the road.
CP3 will definitely go down as one of the all time greats. Even if you just take his average season for assists right now (701), which is lower than what it will probably be, and multiply that over a 12 year career (probably also low) he'll be 8 on the all-time assist list. That combined as a top scoring threat and pretty strong defense would make him an all-time great.
I think if last night's performance, despite being knocked around by the Spurs defenders, is any indication, we are going to be singing Mr. Paul's praises for years to come.
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