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Chris Paul’s Most Overlooked And Undervalued Skill

By Ryan Snellings

Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) listens to LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) listens to LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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For over a decade, the Clippers’ Chris Paul has been regarded as one of the top point guards in the league. So, what skill of his is not talked enough about?

While he is mostly known for his incredible playmaking ability, there’s something else about Chris Paul’s game that you may not have ever noticed.

Eric Bledsoe, Darren Collison, Austin Rivers. What do all those names have in common, exactly?

That’s right. They’ve all played behind Chris Paul and have seen huge upticks in their game in the process. Through his tenure as a member of the Clippers, the team has had trouble holding onto solid back-up point guards. They play under CP for a little while, then move onto greener pastures with starting spots and big money.

Eric Bledsoe

Eric Bledsoe was the first beneficiary of his mentoring on the Clippers. He even garnered the nickname, “Mini-LeBron”.  The Suns’ guard doesn’t play like Chris Paul in the slightest. Bledsoe plays downhill and is an athletic freak. However, under CP3, you could tell he was learning the ins and outs of the game and where to attack the defense. In an interview back in 2014, Bledsoe talked about how he learned from the Point God.

"“He pretty much showed me by example how to play the game,” Bledsoe said. “He talked to me sometimes, but for the most part he kind of let me go out there and make the mistakes by myself.”"

Darren Collison

Collison, much like Bledsoe, is more of a speedier player. However, Chris Paul’s influence on him became apparent. However, these two had a relationship dating back to Paul’s time in New Orleans in 2009.

"Paul has become a mentor for Collison, showing him how to lead a team, how to facilitate the offense, how to take charge, how to be a professional.“I learned just how to manage the tempo,” Collison said. “I learned how to go out there and get everybody involved, just being that point guard that everybody wants, giving the team the opportunity to win every game.”"

Collison was eager to jump back under the wing of Paul in LA and although he isn’t starting now, he managed to earn a solid contract with the Sacramento Kings.

Austin Rivers

For those of us who saw the writing on the wall for Austin, (humble brag) it was a huge relief to see him re-sign with the Clippers this off-season. We already had evidence of former point guard understudies performing well. Austin showed glimpses of greatness against Portland in the playoffs. Whether it was the father/son relationship, a feeling of obligation to the team or just the glamour of playing in LA, Austin came back.

He is now playing the best basketball of his young career and looks to be a part of the Clippers’ immediate future. This season, Austin is averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds. He also has been heavily engaged in defense this year, guarding many teams top players. There have even been times he’s made some of the best players in the league look foolish.

Hopefully Chris Paul’s tutelage will continue to help Austin grow, especially if the Point God decides to bolt during this off-season. Austin very well could be the future point guard of the Clippers.

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