Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul is an 11x All-Star. His inclusion in the 2021 All-Star Game might have come as a surprise to most NBA fans especially with teammate Devin Booker originally not making the cut.
To fans of the Suns, Paul was a worthy contender for a reserve spot. In the loaded Western Conference, it’s hard to stand out but Paul continues to shine at age 35.
In Paul’s case it’s even harder to stand out with a backcourt teammate like Booker yet he still was chosen ahead of the young shooting guard. He is on record saying he came to Phoenix because of Booker and it will always be his team.
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Here are a few reasons why Paul’s inclusion shouldn’t be a shock.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul still a top point guard in the West.
Arguably Chris Paul has arguably always been a top 10 point guard during the entirety of his career. This still remains true into 2021. The only point guards having a better season than Paul in the West are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Portland’s Damian Lillard, and Dallas’ Luka Doncic. To be included in a list of those point guards in a 16-year career is a feat not many other players can match.
His stats this season are 16 points on 48% shooting along with 8.8 assists and a steal. One aspect that may be underrated is his defense. His defense has contributed to the Suns being a top defensive team in the West.
His testament to being a constant in an evolving and adapting NBA is what will make him an all-time great.
Paul hit double digits in assists in 10 games this season and almost reached his career-high when he had 19 assists in a game against the Pelicans a few weeks back. As a current top 5 player in assists, Paul still is ageless and is continuing to perform well in any environment he’s in
The intangibles that Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul supplies
The biggest intangible Paul brings to the Suns is his experience and leadership. It can be underrated his leadership but just look at what he did in Oklahoma and now Phoenix.
The coaches are the ones to pick the All-Star reserves and they look beyond just stats. They look at how players can help the team off the court and Paul certainly fits that bill.
One aspect of Paul that goes under the radar is his charisma. He is a guy that you can count on in crunch time. He is a fighter still going at age 35 and still gives his all on the court every night. His pedigree helps take the scoring load off of Booker.
Additionally, his basketball intelligence is one of the best in the NBA. There aren’t many more with basketball knowledge coming from his experience in the NBA. One example of it was the play that Paul drew up for Booker in their last-second winner in Dallas earlier in the season. Paul stated he learned that play while playing for the Clippers.
There’s no doubting the winning culture Chris Paul brings to the Phoenix Suns
Paul has been a winner in every environment he played in. Every team he has played on he brought them to the playoffs. Last season the Thunder had low expectations after losing most of their stars and it was Paul who led them to the playoffs and became an All-Star in the process.
After the Suns’ success in the bubble, they made the move for Paul and it quickly put them on the map. Aside from the national television schedules and media attention Paul brought his winning culture and gave Suns fans the belief that they could make the playoffs after a 10-year drought.
The proof is in the Sun’s record. Phoenix kept their main core so how did they all of a sudden become a top 4 team in the West? Chris Paul. Paul makes the other players around him better. He has unlocked a version of center Deandre Ayton, that fans were hoping he would be when he was drafted.
Paul acts as a coach and mentor to the younger players and aside from being a point guard, he puts his teammates in the best positions to succeed.
When Paul landed in Phoenix he brought big expectations and so far he has lived up to them. He will be an integral part of the Suns’ success and key if they want to end their drought and make a run in the Western Conference.