NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?
10. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Last Rank: No. 12
Position: Point Guard
Age: 30
Slash Line: .460/.382/.887
Season Averages: 33.0 MPG, 19.5 PPG, 9.5 APG, 3.9 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.7 3PM
The Los Angeles Clippers shouldn’t be as good as Chris Paul has made them over the past two months. After losing Blake Griffin to an injury on Christmas Day, many expected the Clippers to hit a steep decline and fall out of championship contention.
The exact opposite has transpired behind Paul’s leadership and guidance.
The Clippers are 20-7 in 27 games without Griffin. That includes a recent 105-86 blowout of the 48-9 San Antonio Spurs, during which CP3 recorded 28 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, one block, and a steal on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.
It was yet another stellar performance by a player who has taken a team with lackluster chemistry and turned it into a 37-20 contender.
On the season, Paul is No. 5 in the NBA in Win Shares per 48 minutes—a ranking that would be significantly higher had the Clippers not started the year at 17-13. Over the past 27 games, a compelling case could be made that Paul has been the league’s MVP.
That won’t happen due to how brilliant the Golden State Warriors have been, but Paul is to credit for all of the Clippers’ recent success.
Next: Historically Significant Season