The 50 greatest players in NBA history, ranked by win shares
By Cal Durrett
Greatest NBA Player #9: Chris Paul-205.05
Point God Chris Paul is nearing the end of his legendary career but has a chance to further cement his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Paul comes in ninth on this list but could realistically climb to the sixth spot in all-time win shares during the 2023–24 season as a member of the Golden State Warriors.
It could also be his last chance to win an elusive championship. Whether he will remains to be seen, but Paul’s Hall of Fame career shouldn’t be defined by whether he wins a championship or not. He is arguably the best point guard in NBA history and, according to win shares, a top-10 player all-time.
While few would argue that he is a great player, most wouldn’t have him in their top 10, so why does he win shares? For one, Paul, despite not being as prolific of a scorer as many on this list, has still managed to score nearly 22,000 points on low usage and high efficiency. Paul has also been a defensive standout, including making five all-defensive first teams and leading the NBA in steals six times.
That factors into defensive win shares, which also factor into total win shares, helping him rate highly in the stat. Based on that and his longevity, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he appears as high as he does.