The Chris Paul Effect > The LeBron Effect
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images via kslsports)
Before the Bronsexuals get upset, this is in no way a shot at LeBron. I think he’s the second best player of all time and the impact he makes on every team is greater than Chris Paul’s. However, Chris Paul’s impact is far more impressive than LeBron’s.
Chris Paul has been a stalwart in every team he’s been on. He averaged almost 19 points with the Hornets, almost 19 points on the Clippers, 17 on the Rockets, almost 18 on the Thunder, and 16 on the Suns. He averaged nearly 10 assists per game on the Hornets, which is absurd. He also averages more points in the playoffs, which means he’s more dependable come crunch time. Every team Paul’s been on turns into a playoff team almost immediately upon his arrival, which is truly incredible for a point guard to accomplish.
A big factor to the Chris Paul effect is his leadership. You look at his time on the Clippers and how great Lob City was. Deandre Jordan was considered an above-average center and Blake Griffin was a perennial all-star. Paul gets traded to the Rockets and all of the sudden they nearly take down the loaded Warriors; which if he didn’t get hurt might have come true.
He gets traded to the Thunder and they become a playoff team and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes a way, way better player with Paul on the court. Paul then gets traded to the Suns and they instantly become a playoff team for the first time in 11 years.
At some point, we have to give Paul the respect he deserves. He doesn’t get in trouble for anything off court (except when he raided the Clippers Locker room lol). He simply shows up to work, does his job and guides every team he’s on to the playoffs. For a point guard who doesn’t have the strength or athleticism of LeBron to have a similar impact deserves our attention and certainly our respect at the very least. Don’t sleep on Chris Paul.