To be honest, I am not a Chris Paul fan.
I’m not really a fan because I’m a believer of a less-dribble, more-passing type of game. But watching him all these years makes me realize how special he is as a player and as a point guard.
Yes, he dribbles a lot and handles the ball too much in one possession, but he dribbles with purpose. Despite dribbling the ball too much, he has the mindset of making his team better -- creating good shots for his teammates, and most importantly, making the right decisions. There are other ball dominant players who dribble a lot but they have the mindset of creating shots for themselves. There is a BIG difference between the two.
If we go back to the past, I would like to compare his game to Magic Johnson. He was a ball dominant player and a great ball handler, though not as shifty as CP3. They have the same mindset of helping teammates get better, creating optimal situations, and making the right decisions for their respective teams. And yes, both CP3 and Magic are great leaders not only on the court but outside the playing court as well.
Speaking of being a great leader, CP3 is a game-changer now with the Phoenix Suns. At the age of 35 and playing almost 16 years in the league, he is still very efficient and effective. He is leading the Suns not necessarily in points, but through his veteran prowess and experience. He can still dominate the game even though he is not scoring that much because of his smarts and good decision-making. He’s undoubtedly instrumental in steering the Suns in the upper echelon of the West standings.
I guess a plant-based diet is really working for CP3. With his age right now and despite injuries here and there, he still manages to play at a high level. By taking care of his body, it just shows how good of a leader he is. He wants to play in all their games to help his team get better and stay on top of the standings.
With CP3 in Phoenix, it makes Devin Booker’s game more effective as well. Book’s life is easier now playing alongside a veteran PG and great leader like CP3. One of the main reasons why they are one of the top teams in the West is the CP3 and Booker tandem. They both make it hard for opposing teams, while making it easy for their teammates. They create a lot of openings for their other shooters and big guys because of their ability to score inside and out. This might be the best season yet for the Suns, and at the rate they are going, they even have a chance to get into the West finals.
I haven’t always been a Chris Paul fan, but I can surely appreciate his greatness as one of the best point guards in the game.
