Power Ranking Every Clippers Player: Who’s Their MVP?
By Tom West
1st: Chris Paul
Apr 26, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) leads a fastbreak against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
When looking at the impact that he makes at both ends of the floor and how much better his team are with him leading the way, the Clippers’ MVP has to be Chris Paul. From maintaining his crown as the NBA’s best floor general, to his title as the best defensive point guard in the game as well, it’s the way Paul excels equally at both ends of the floor that places him above Griffin.
Yet again, Paul led the league in assists with 10.2 per game, averaged 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, shot 48.5 percent from the floor and even made 39.8 percent of his three pointers (the second best mark of his career). As a result, he became an All-Star, an All-Defensive first team member and All-NBA second team member.
The numbers can go on forever with Paul, so here are two that you need to know: he ranked 2nd in win shares (16.1) and the Clippers led opponents by a ridiculous average of 13 points per 100 possessions with him in the game, compared to trailing by 7.9 without him.
That just sums up Paul. He has a combination of two-way ability that hardly any player can match and he means everything to his team.
Ultimately, the Clippers did fall tragically against the Rockets in the second round. But that wasn’t because of Paul, Griffin, Jordan or any other individual. The Clippers didn’t have a bench and their stars were bound to get gassed after carrying the load every single night. That’s just not a recipe for championship level success.
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Now that Doc Rivers has assembled a talented second unit to support his stars, though, they can lead their team forward with the correct support they need in the 2015-16 season.
It’s time for Jordan to prove himself after earning a max contact, for Griffin to continue his evolution as a skill based player, and for Paul to lead his Clippers as both their MVP and the best point guard in the game.
No one at the position can make as much difference at both ends of the court as Paul. In fact, few players all together can. That is why he ranks first in this Clippers power ranking.