Clipperholics
Fansided

Clippers News: Chris Paul named to 2016 NBA All-Star Game

By Trisity Miller

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (3) high-fives Eastern Conference guard Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The West defeated the East 163-158. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (3) high-fives Eastern Conference guard Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The West defeated the East 163-158. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul is named to his ninth straight All-Star game

The lone Clipper in the event for the first time since 2010 season, after being excluded from the starting five via the fan vote (and rightfully so, no snark), Chris Paul has been named to the 2016 NBA All-Star game by the Western Conference head coaches.

“I am truly humbled to be selected by the coaches to play in the All-Star Game,” Paul said in a statement released by the team. “I am excited to represent the Clippers in Toronto and once again be a part of NBA All-Star Weekend and compete alongside so many great players.”

For anyone keeping count at home, this makes for Chris Paul’s ninth straight All-Star game dating back to the 2008 season — when Paul rightfully claimed ownership of being the best point guard in the NBA, thus ensuing the creation of “Point God” — and fifth appearance as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, tying teammate Blake Griffin for most appearances in franchise history.

Given how Paul started the season, missing both shots and games as he dealt with numerous injuries, I was skeptical of Paul getting in as guards around him surged. Fortunately for Paul, health improved leading to the play that eventually led to an All-Star selection: 18.6 points on 45-38-88 shooting splits, 9.6 assists (4th in NBA), 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals (4th in NBA), and a Player Efficiency Rating of 24.7. More importantly, in a year where Paul looked to be lagging behind while the younger point guards revved up, he’s still in position to be named a top-3 point guard, with his only competition for the spot being the “used-to-be fat” guy in Toronto.

I am truly humbled to be selected by the coaches to play in the All-Star Game,” Paul said in a statement released by the team.

In Paul’s seven All-Star games played (missed 2010 because of injury), CP3 is averaging 13 points on 50 percent shooting, 12.8 assists, and 3.14 steals per game, and in 2013 Paul became the second player in Clippers franchise history to win All-Star MVP (Randy Smith – 1978) behind a 20-point, 15-assist, 4-steal performance.

Alongside Paul, DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Draymond Green (Golden State), Anthony Davis (New Orleans), and James Harden (Houston) have also been named reserves.

Regarding Blake Griffin’s absence from the listed reserves, what’s clear is his exclusion was not a matter of inferior stats as Blake was easily one of the best 10-16 players before succumbing to injury, and better than Cousins, Thompson, Aldridge, Harden, teammate Paul, and arguably Davis.

More from Clipperholics

But for a large portion of the season, the Clippers have been without Griffin, succeeding in that span — because you’re thinking it, no they’re not better without BG — and from now until the league temporarily vacations in Toronto for Valentine’s Day weekend, the Clippers will continue on sans-Blake as he recovers from the embarrassing hand fracture suffered because he couldn’t take a joke (allegedly).

If you forgot, the Western Conference starters in the 2016 NBA All-Star game are Stephen Curry (Golden State), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles L.)

In the Eastern Conference, starters in Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Dwyane Wade (Miami), LeBron James (Cleveland), Paul George (Indiana), and Carmelo Anthony (New York) will be joined by reserves in Isaiah Thomas (Boston), Paul Millsap (Atlanta), Andre Drummond (Detroit), Chris Bosh (Miami), John Wall (Washington), Jimmy Butler (Chicago), and DeMar DeRozan (Toronto).

Next: Clippers will surely trade Lance Stephenson soon

Breathe it in. The season’s almost over, so sit back, relax, bump WAVES (or SWISH, whatever) and enjoy Chris Paul and co. entertain the world for a weekend.

Home/Clippers News