Rowan Kavner
PHILADELPHIA – Chris Paul’s name rarely comes up as often as Russell Westbrook, James Harden or Stephen Curry when it comes to the MVP debate.
That’s something Knicks head coach Derek Fisher doesn’t understand.
“I was thinking as I was watching a little bit earlier, I don’t know why he wouldn’t be in the MVP conversation,” Fisher said.
Paul leads the league with 10.2 assists per game. Since Feb. 7, that number’s significantly greater, averaging 11.7 assists per game in his last 21 games. He’s doing that while leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio among qualified candidates. He’s also averaging 21.2 points per game his last 21 games, bringing his total up to 18.7 points per game for the season.
In the 15 games Blake Griffin missed, Paul averaged 20.5 points and 12 assists per game. He’s the only player in the league averaging at least 18.5 points, 10 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game this season.
“Chris is consistent in his performance,” Fisher said. “He shoots the ball really well in terms of percentages and his team wins a lot of games and he finds ways to make big plays when plays are needed. That’s what the best players do.”
Paul said winning the MVP mattered more to him in the past than it does now, as he’s much more concerned with winning a championship than anything else. But that doesn’t change his credentials.
Since Feb. 4, Paul’s led the NBA by creating 46.6 percent of his team’s points either by scoring or assisting on the play. In regards to his value to his team, Paul’s Clippers score a team-high 114.1 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court and a team-low 96.7 points per 100 possessions when he’s off it.
“When someone does something so well for such a long period of time, you almost take it for granted,” said J.J. Redick. “I think that’s been the case a little bit this year. We’ve kind of overlooked how good he is. I mean, we have, nationally, because of how Steph has been and how good James has been. But CP has been tremendous all season.”
Fisher said the point guard position isn’t typically viewed as the most versatile player on the team, but Paul could make the argument with his shot-making, passing, vision, ability to defend and his toughness.
“He can do everything,” Fisher said. “I think it’s all those things that cause problems for you.”
In regards to that toughness, Paul’s on track to play 82 games for the first time in his career. That would be a feat that means something to him.
“Seriously just trying to be prepared to play every night,” Paul said. “It’s tough in this league, all the back-to-backs and all that stuff like that. Just keep trying to take care of my body, but most of all I want to make sure I’m ready for the postseason.”
As to how he’d feel if Doc Rivers wants to rest him before the end of the regular season?
“We’ll talk about it,” Paul said with a grin.