The 75 greatest NBA players of the 2000s, ranked
By Cal Durrett
35) Chris Paul
NBA legend and "Point God" Chris Paul making this list with just 300 games played during the 2000s is impressive, to say the least. After being selected fourth overall in 2005, he proved to be an immediate star and managed to average at least 21 points and 11 assists over the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons.
Not only that but he led the NBA in assists and steals in both seasons, as well as making consecutive all-star teams. More importantly, he led the New Orleans Hornets to the Western Conference semi-finals in 2008, where they went toe to toe with the then-defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
Paul nearly led the Hornets to an upset but they lost in Game 7 at home. That proved to be the first of several disappointing playoff exits but he is still widely considered to be the best point guard of his era. He is currently in year 19, his third decade in the NBA and while he played just 300 games in the 2000s, he is deserving of inclusion.