Every once in awhile an NBA player has a legendary season. Jordan in 95-96, Magic in 86-87, Nash in 05-06. A season that fans will look back on and talk about for years to come.
Add Chris Paul’s 2007-08 to the list.
Paul’s 21 points, 11 assists and almost three steals per game are comparable to Nash’s back to back MVP seasons, but the most important statistic is being overlooked by analysts: Turnovers per game.
Paul, a point guard, averages only 2.5 turnovers a game. That may not seem all that important until one dives deeper.
During Magic Johnson’s MVP season of 1986-87, he averaged 3.8 turnovers per game. Nash 3.5 in 05-06.
Both fellow point guards averaged less steals than Paul, who is taking the ball away more than he is giving it up, a feat almost impossible at that position.
Paul’s personal statistics amaze, but what may be more astounding is his ability to get the most out of his teammates.
NBA analyst and former Knicks and Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said, “Paul is clearly the MVP, he’s made the most impact by far, (David) West was an all-star because of him and he’s gotten a lot out of (Tyson) Chandler as well.”
Before joining Paul in New Orleans, Tyson Chandler was averaging just five points and nine rebounds a game in Chicago, but since he’s improved to an 11 point 11 rebound powerhouse center.
Paul’s leadership abilities have shown through while winning the southwest division and during multiple wins against the league’s best Boston Celtics.
So why are fans and analysts picking Kobe Bryant or LeBron James for MVP?
Because Paul lacks the media coverage of a LeBron and Hollywood star power of Kobe. He isn’t featured during every commercial break or seen at any movie premiers.
Beside star influence, flashy scoring and ESPN highlight reels give James and Bryant the edge, but the numbers just don’t add up.
Kobe’s 28 points and six rebounds per game are impressive, but averaging three turnovers and just five assists leaves him far short of Paul when it comes to being a complete player.
One must also consider that the acquisition of star power forward Pau Gasol has made life a lot easier on Bryant this season.
As for James, playing in the abysmal Eastern Conference makes him automatically less valuable than Bryant or Paul.
Plus, as a shooting guard, he averages over three turnovers a game and shoots just .315 from beyond the arc.
To add to James poor shooting, 71 percent from the free throw line falls well short of Paul’s 85 percent.
Though being a humble leader, unselfish passer and intelligent decision maker don’t often end up on the stat sheet, they are categories in which Chris Paul has truly stood above the rest. His 2007-08 season has been, well, Magic-al.
A resent fan poll on ESPN.com had Bryant getting 50 percent of the MVP vote, luckily it isn’t up to the Powerade drinking, basketball shoe wearing NBA enthusiast.
We can only wait and hope that the sports writers don’t award simply scoring and stardom
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