I can't wait until Monday's Boxed Out.

Chris Paul's stat line tonight against the (not horrible) Mavs:

33 pts, 10 rbs, 11 assists, 7 steals (50% shooting, 2 TOs)

That's beyond sick. He's only the 5th player to do this (along with Alvin Robertson, Michael Ray Richardson, Bird and Rick Barry) -- the first since Robertson in 1986.

My question is, why doesn't CP3 get the love he deserves? Sure, he is an MVP candidate, but right now, the NBA still belongs to LeBron and Kobe. His stats are just plain crazy and that Hornets team would be nothing without him. What does he need to do to get more love? Average 30 and 15 for the season? Win a championship (but Kobe and LeBron have a combined 0 titles -- without Shaq)?

Maybe it's harder for a point guard to win over the crowd. But Steve Nash did it and he was only half the player CP3 is (because he didn't play defense). I don't get it.   

Quote from: orrzor on January 15, 2009, 12:16:11 AM

Quote from: Celtic on January 15, 2009, 12:02:07 AM

He's been arguably the best player in the league for a few seasons now, and to me he is. He plays at a more valuable position, and at the highest level at that position. However, it all comes down to the media, they pathetically get on their knees and bow at the feet of Queen James, never once acknowledging the fact that he travels, sorry "Crab dribbles" on almost every play, drives the lane pushing defenders away, and cries like a baby as he clutches his face after anyone dares to play defense against him.

After saying that, Lebron is a freak and a very talented player, I just have no idea how good he is because he doesn't have to play by NBA rules. He gets special treatment, thats what makes Chris Paul even better, he does what he does with little to no ref help, and absolutely nothing compared to what Lebron gets. Swing men are valuable, but there is a surplus of them, granted Kobe and Lebron are the elite of that group, but give me the best point guard in the NBA and a good swingman any day over an OK PG and a great swingman.

I don't think PG is a more valuable position to a championship team, unless Paul is as good as Magic. The past few championship teams, save Detroit, have not had their best player at PG, it is hard to dominate a game from that position but Paul obviously comes close. Also look at the Cavs, they do not have a real PG.

And about calls, it's not like the refs don't bail out Paul from time to time like they do every other superstar. Also Lebron was called on his crab dribble, which cost the Cavs a win. I don't think refs give him everything you are claiming. Furthermore Lebron's game has definitely improved the last season, specifically his jump shot form looks better. And now that he does not have to do everything on offense, he actually has energy to play some good defense. Also arguing that there are a lot of swingmen in the NBA doesn't diminish how much better Lebron is then all those other swingmen. He is the greatest at his position, as CP is at his. Lebron's level of talent is just as rare, if not rarer, than Paul's talent.

That being said, wouldn't it be nice if the C's could choose between these 2.

While much of what we disagree on is a matter of opinion, the one sticking point I have is in regards to the officiating for Lebron. At the very least in comparison to the officiating for Chris Paul, no one gets bailed out like Lebron, everyone wants to say that everyone gets star calls and on and on, but never like this. He came into the league and was treated like a superstar.

One little gripe with your post - why do Kobe's championships come with an asterisk??

Does Shaq win those titles without Kobe?

Larry Bird won no titles without the Chief?

MJ couldnt win one without Scottie Pippen.

And so on.....

Chris Paul is unbelievable.  You can't match up one on with him.  He will take you every time.

As for the Lebron getting all the calls....man, will people ever stop complaining about this?  Go watch how many calls Pierce gets in the same manner.  All of this favorable call stuff is complete BS.  Its a two way street...always will be

I don't want to hijack this thread, especially considering it is about the best PG in the game right now, but I would like to make one more quick point about Lebron.  The guy is 270 pounds of solid muscle.  Just because contact has minimal effect on his drives does not mean that contact was not made and that a foul should be called.  It's not Lebron's fault that he can drive through contact.  A foul is still a foul.