Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and guard Chris Paul (3) talk during a stoppage in play against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Clippers defeat the Mavericks 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and guard Chris Paul (3) talk during a stoppage in play against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Clippers defeat the Mavericks 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Award: All-NBA Second Team

Last Rank: No. 7

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Slash Line: .466/.373/.898

Season Averages: 33.3 MPG, 19.9 PPG, 9.7 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 1.7 3PMA

Blake Griffin hasn’t played a single game since Christmas Day. Behind the efforts and leadership of Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers have gone 24-9 in the 33 games played without Griffin, and that cannot be overlooked.

Whether he’s taking over games as a scorer, or selflessly facilitating, Paul continues to do what he does best: make everyone around him look significantly better.

Paul didn’t have his best week, but in the Clippers’ lone win from the three games played, he was masterful. The 30-year-old scored 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting in 28 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks, which doesn’t even begin to tell the story of how dominant he was.

Paul attacked at will, found crevices in the defense, and exploited holes that weren’t even holes against Dallas, thus leading to a 109-90 domination.

Paul may have slipped to No. 8, but he’s clearly back as one of the Top 10 players in the NBA. He’s led the Clippers to a season of severe overachievement, and is dangerously close to averaging 20 and 10 with 2-plus steals per contest.

Paul is a lock to make the Hall of Fame, and while the Western Conference is as strong as it’s ever been, Paul is reaffirming the belief that he can make it past the second round.

Next: The Future