Top > Sport > 2006 > January > 2006-01-16

The Real Deal

No other rookie has made more impact on his team than Chris Paul. Paul ?slipped? all the way to the forth pick of the draft, where New Orleans was quick to grab him. Guiding his team to an improbably 15-17 record, Paul has asserted himself as one of the brightest tars in a league that is lacking in true point guards. Chris Paul?s Devotion In case there were any questions about Chris Paul?s passion or love of the game, his quick return from injury has been all the proof anyone has ever needed to declare that this kid is for real.

So far this season, he has only sat out one game with the injury and returned back to action against Detroit on Tuesday. In that game, despite the injury, he put up 13 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Not too shabby for coming back from injury 2 weeks early. This is a trait that clearly separates him from his class.

Despite his young age, Chris Paul is already regarded among the elite class of current NBA point guards. His numbers speak for themselves. In weeks past I have compared his numbers to Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis, but his numbers are actually much better than Francis? and not too far behind Marbury?s.