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Playoff Picture: Los Angeles Clippers

By Luke Duffy

Apr 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with teammates including guard J.J. Redick (4), forward Matt Barnes (22), and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with teammates including guard J.J. Redick (4), forward Matt Barnes (22), and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with teammates including guard J.J. Redick (4), forward Matt Barnes (22), and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with teammates including guard J.J. Redick (4), forward Matt Barnes (22), and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Go To Guy

Chris Paul

It’s somewhat criminal that the best point guard in the NBA of the last half decade has never even played in a conference finals. To be honest, I felt heading into this season that both Paul and the Clippers had been better a couple of years back. To me that was their time to win big. It’s harder now, no question, but Paul is still the undisputed point guard king of this league.

He doesn’t have the destructive abilities of a Russell Westbrook, nor the athleticism of a John Wall. His scoring bursts rival any (bar perhaps Kyrie Irving) though, and his blend of experience and still being very much in his prime make this guy a dangerous animal. His will to win is unquestionable, and to watch him play is to see a master at work.

He leads the league in assists (10.3) although in his 10 years in this league, that’s only his fifth highest season average (his personal best was 11.6 in his third year in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets). His Player Efficiency Rating of 26.1 is good for seventh across the entire league. Few players are as important to their team as Paul is.

Although his personal numbers have dipped a little, he plays for a contending team, and so as long as he’s still playing to the high level he has this year, it’s not that big a deal. Along with Griffin, he’s the face of the team, and has a great understanding with his partner in crime. This includes a deadly pick and roll game the two have built up. He’ll be great in the playoffs, he always is, but he’s due a long run.

Next: Just Try Stop These Guys From Scoring

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