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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-22 season: 20-11

By Corey Rausch

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 19. Chris Paul

Previous Rank: 17

At long last, Chris Paul made it all the way to the NBA Finals. The ageless wonder has proved that after being removed from the Houston Rockets two seasons ago he is far from done. Paul is still more than capable of making everyone around him better and changed the Phoenix Suns’ future last year. He entered a situation with an established superstar and former number one overall pick. Quickly the pace and philosophy of the team embodied that of their veteran leader.

The 36-year-old star slowed only slightly from a counting stats perspective. While pacing himself through the regular season he averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He led the league in free throw percentage at 93.4 percent. More importantly, he bent the flow of the game to his will. From a playstyle perspective, the Suns quickly became a Chris Paul team and were better for it.

It will be hard to match the success of a season ago, but the Suns are up to the challenge. They bring back almost everyone from their run to the NBA Finals and while Paul is a year older, he has set Ayton and Booker up to pick up some of the slack attrition may leave for them.