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NBA Player Power Rankings: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

By Maxwell Ogden

January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after shooting a three-point shot during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after shooting a three-point shot during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shakes hands with entertainer Billy Crystal after the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center. Clippers won 97-83. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shakes hands with entertainer Billy Crystal after the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center. Clippers won 97-83. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Slash Line: .447/.358/.882

Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 9.6 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Verdict: Hot

After a slow start to the 2015-16 NBA regular season, Chris Paul has returned to his, “Point God,” form. He’s led the Los Angeles Clippers to 10 consecutive wins, including nine without All-NBA power forward Blake Griffin.

With all due respect to those who were in front of him, it was only a matter of time before Paul returned to being an elite player.

The 30-year-old opened the week by leading the Clippers past the Charlotte Hornets 97-83 with 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting. He posted 25 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, three steals, and a block in a 114-111 overtime escape of his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, just one day later.

Paul’s shooting efficiency wasn’t as desired, but he was brilliant in helping Los Angeles close out the week with a 104-90 victory over the Miami Heat—a game the Clippers played without both Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Paul’s turnaround began on December 9, when he posted 18 points and 18 assists in a 109-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Since and including that game, Paul is averaging 19.1 points and 10.9 assists while leading Los Angeles to a record of 14-4.

Despite missing five games due to injury, Paul is still No. 14 in the NBA in Win Shares and No. 7 in Win Shares per 48 minutes.

Next: Erratic Again