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NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Last Rank: No. 6

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Slash Line: .465/.373/.895

Season Averages: 32.8 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 9.9 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.7 3PM

What Chris Paul has done for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015-16 is deserving of MVP consideration. It clearly will not net him the award, and rightfully so—Stephen Curry is on another level right now—but Paul is unquestionably elite.

The postseason is a mountain he still must climb, but Paul will be adding yet another All-NBA selection to his Hall of Fame resume.

Forget about the basic averages and look at the ones that matter. Los Angeles went 30-15 in the 45 games played without Blake Griffin, and that rests squarely on the shoulders of the barely 6’0″ point guard we call CP3.

For perspective, Paul is assisting a league-high 49.1 percent of his teammates’ field goals in 2015-16.

Not only is Paul assisting roughly half of his teammates’ made field goals when he’s on the floor, but he’s averaging 19.8 points per game himself. With 23.5 points created via assists per game, Paul is accounting for 43.3 points per contest overall.

In less than 33 minutes of action per contest, Paul has created 41.4 percent of the Clippers’ total offense. Enough said.

Next: Can He Win?