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The 10 Best Debuts Of The NBA Playoffs

By Josh Eberley

Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2015, Shanghai, China; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in action as the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Charlotte Hornets at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Hornets beat the Clippers by a score of 113-71. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA Today Sports
Danny La-USA Today Sports /

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 2008

Age 22
Points 35
Assists 10
Rebounds 3

Chris Paul may be the least appreciated great playoff performer of all time. He’s phenomenal come the playoffs; the man is at home in the NBA playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks won 67 games in 2007, lost to the Warriors, came back ticked off in 2008 and Paul did not care.

Paul torched Dallas. His 35 points came via 15-of-23 shooting, and not one of those points came from a three-point shot. Paul took Dallas off the dribble and he did it over and over. Not even a trip to Australia could save Dirk Nowitzki and his Mavs.

After dismantling them in Game 1, the then-New Orleans Hornets kept coming. The series came to resolution in Game 5, where Paul broke the Mavericks’ back. Paul posted a triple-double; 24 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists got the job done.

Paul has never seen the conference finals, but don’t underestimate CP3’s ability or tenacity. He’s been as fierce of a competitor as they come in the early rounds, the numbers don’t lie.

Next: LeBron James 2006