Deadspin
We know that the Hornets lost last night, and that the Lakers are sweeping through the playoffs, and that LeBron is kind of embarrassing himself a little bit. But all this playoff business only brings one thing to our mind: Heavens to Betsy, Chris Paul is freaking amazing.
This is not news to anyone who has been watching him all year ... but the vast majority of people haven't been watching him all year, including us. Screw this "LeBron/Kobe is the next MJ" business; Chris Paul is the next Chris Paul, and it's pretty amazing.
We enjoyed Eric Neel's valentine on Page 2 yesterday.
Part of it is he's so ordinary looking, so (forgive me, Chris) small. You look at Kevin Garnett and you know you're looking at some extraordinary specimen even before you watch him play. Ditto LeBron and Kobe, whose ripped, long frames seem almost predictably tied to excellence. Paul is fit but not sculpted. He's the shortest guy on the floor most of the time. He's got this unassuming, slightly pigeon-toed walk and this young, seemingly guileless grin. And even though you know he's capable of stealing Jason Kidd's immortal soul, you're still dumbfounded when he completely dominates a Western Conference semifinal game.
Neel touches on a point at the end that makes us sad; it's almost too much, too gorgeous, too fast. Please don't let Chris Paul be dating Star Jones in three years.
Comments
Can you imagine how much the media would fawn over Chris Paul if he were white? Hoo boy!
O AN HE SO SEXY.
No, seriously, he is.
he's capable of stealing Jason Kidd's immortal soul
Pretty sure Joumana has dibs on that...
Chris Paul > Mrs. Paul's Fishsticks
Let's
Do
the Time
Warp
Again
!.!.!.!.!.!.!
Can he be considered "scrappy?"
it took ALOT of work to keep my deacs OUT of the final four throughout the duncan, howard, and paul years... but somehow the coaching staff put together their collective heads and figured out a way. fuck.
New Orleans has a basketball team?
@notthequarterback:
He's a hardworker
Julius Hodge is still not a fan
Allen Iverson with a clean rap sheet and a supporting fucking cast.
/bitter Sixers fan
So, You've Been Watching Chris Paul, Right?
Nope. Can't say I have.
Julius Hodge is tearing up the Austrailian basketball circle... gangsta style.
"Sure, but does he hilariously high-five himself?"
- Andrew Bogut
+ Watch video
The Reggie Bush parallels (awesome in college, people thought he should have drafted, goes to New Orleans and becomes a local hero) are pretty staggering. Until you realize that Chris Paul is fucking awesome and Reggie Bush is the next Trung Canidate.
I'm a little tea pot...
He's the next....(insert good point guard here)
@Gourmet Spud:
It's not clear, but I meant to make fun of Larry Harris.
@notthequarterback: White AND from a foreign country.
If Kobe is the MVP, Chris Paul is the MFAP (Most Freakin' Awesome Player).
IMO Hornets/Spurs is the only decent playoff series currently in play.
@Bobby_Big_Wheel: And Darren McFadden will be the next Reggie Bush.
Bobby_Big_Wheel: drafted first overall, I meant
The best playground player on the planet. Skip to my Lou (circa mid-to-late 90s) with Zeke's decision-making in his prime.
The best Jerry, the best.
@StreakinTheQuad: I'd say Rafael Vidauretta is at fault.
/kicks lifeless Hawks fan in the crotch
I think that Paul has the same look that Deion Sanders has when he's eyeing his wife on an MTA advertisement.
Wait, the Hornets are in NEW ORLEANS ?? Charlotte must be disappointed not having a basketball team.
Ya, but can he juggle a soccer ball?
@Gourmet Spud: INVISABUL TEAMA8TZ!!
@millensdraftskills: Isiah? Please no.
Their uniforms are supposed to be teal! Why do they say New Orleans instead of Charlotte?
*still slightly bitter, but I do like Chris*
@Matt_T:
/Who, as a reflex, kicks Marvin Williams in the crotch
Great, now all the PaulBots are gonna infiltrate the comments.
He's a great person to boot, just ask anyone that's even had a passing meeting with him. The people of New Orleans deserve him (especially after being duped into thinking Reggie Bush was "Jesus in cleats")
He's clutch, he's scrappy, he's a gamer, he has heart... if he was white he would be the next Psycho T!
/shoots self in head
Has Wilbon reviewed this post yet?
Good player, just wish he'd stop with the crazy presidential campaign.
"you know he's capable of stealing Jason Kidd's immortal soul"
Do that, and Jason Kidd will fly into a drunken rage and kick you ass.
@muggsybogues:
the real muggsy bogues approves.
@DumpsterDining: "your" not "you" - MORON!
Chris Paul > Ron Paul
@MickelsonsManBoobs:
i'll never be able to blame raf on anything. that guy was a smooth criminal.
@Spectacular Sam: Chris Paul > Rupaul > Ron Paul
My basketball people loved Marvin Williams' athleticism. They kept saying, "Marvin Williams. Marvin Williams."
anyone who makes Tyson Chandler look like a decent ballplayer must be a star...CP3 rocks
@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: He's waaaay to coordinated to be scrappy. That and the fact that he's not...
@Illegal Immigrant:
He had the name of an 8-year-old cancer victim written on his shoe last night:
[sports.aol.com]
@Suss--: The proper team is "Paultard" - you're implying that they aren't even alive, when they most certainly are. And very annoying and dumb.
@BigRicks: Chris Paul > T'Pau > Rupaul > Ron Paul
@Deadspin:
I didn't want to go there. Glad you did.
Chris Paul > Steve Motherfuckin' Polychronopolis
@Jankie: Mr. Steinbrenner, I think I just figured out a way to get Chris Paul, Josh Smith AND Joe Johnson on the same team, and we wouldn't have to give up that much!
/HAHA
@Jankie:
Rupaul over Ron Paul? Ouch.
@Grimey:
Chris Paul will not drink the last beer or eat the last slice.
@Trot Nixons Hat:
so bitter...
Chris Paul is undoubtedly the best NBA player ever to be on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me," which makes him the only NBA player my wife has heard of.
@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG: Marvin Williams will then clothesline said lifeless Hawks fan.
@StreakinTheQuad: There there... Have some Paul Dollars and such. They're like +1's!
Anyone who gives 5'10 guys like me hope that they can actually play baseketball will always gets prop fro me.
Hey Eric Neel, the average man is 5'9. Chris and I are above average, bitch!
@Jankie:
Chris Paul > T'Pau > Rupaul > Ron Paul > Cerebal Paulsy
@Signal to Noise: Who will, hopefully, fall on top of Billy Knight, killing him instantly. Even if he's already been fired.
Chris Paul > St. Paul (the Person) T'Pau > Rupaul > Ron Paul > St. Paul (The City)
@Trot Nixons Hat:
OMG LOL +1
St. Pauli's Girl ? All Pauls
@BigRicks: Chris Paul > St. Pauli Girl > St. Paul (the Person) T'Pau > Rupaul > Ron Paul > St. Paul (The City)
St. Pauli's Girl > All Paul's