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All-Star Throwback: Chris Paul wins 2013 ASG MVP

By Trisity Miller

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With All-Star Sunday finally on tap, I figured we’d take a journey through the activities past, visiting the time Clippers point guard Chris Paul won the 2013 All-Star Game MVP award.

In his last All-Star game as a starter (it’s presumably Stephen Curry’s spot from here on out until another mega-star emerges onto the scene), Paul took advantage of playing alongside some of the best starters in the game By nights end, Paul finished with 20 points on 7-10 shooting (nine points came in the final quarter), 15 assists and four steals as the West beat the East 143-138, beating out Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James for the award (Bryant received 2 votes, Durant 2, James 1).

Despite it being an exhibition game, much of Paul’s work looked similar to what he does on a nightly basis during the regular season. Out of the pick-and-roll, many teammates, including real-life teammate Blake Griffin, benefitted from Paul’s passing and in the instances defenses shied toward the roll-men, Paul took advantage of open shots. He even nutmegged Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh on the baseline (turnover omitted).

“You just never expect something like this,” Paul said after being awarded the All-Star MVP from then-NBA commissioner David Stern. “All of these great players that I have the opportunity to play with, it’s an honor and a privilege.”

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    • Prior to Paul’s winning, the All-Star MVP award had become unfamiliar to point guards. Before Paul, the last point guard to bring home the award was John Stockon in 1993 (Nine points, 15 assists, six rebounds, two steals). From then until Paul, the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Allen Iverson dominated the conversation).

    Through his All-Star career, Paul has played well when given the opportunity, as seen by the stat that places him as the events all-time leading passer at 12.17 assists per game, above the likes of Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas and many others.

    “It means a lot,” continued Paul when asked how it felt to be in the same conversation as now-Hall of Fame guards in Johnson, Thomas, etc. “Any time you’re mentioned with those guys it’s, like I said, it’s an honor and a privilege, but when you get a chance to get out on the court with Russ, KD, all them, these guys that I don’t get a chance to play with that often, it’s easy.

    “I got the easy part. All I got to do is give them the ball.”

    Can Paul repeat his efforts tonight? As a reserve, that seems unlikely, but in limited minutes, the All-Pro point guard won’t struggle putting on a show, whether it’s impressing with his handles on the perimeter or feeding his teammates on the break.

    Hopefully the show compares to the previous two years.

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