Chris Paul: Amazing on the Basketball Court

nbaeditor | October 8, 2015 | Basketball

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Video: Career History of Chris Paul.

Led or tied team in scoring 16 times, assists 60 times and steals 46 times. • Missed 19 games on the season due to a strained right hamstring (1, 11/29/13) and a right AC joint separation (18, 1/4/14 – 2/7/14). • Recorded eight games in a row where he registered at least three steals. It was the longest streak in the NBA since Allen Iverson did so in eight games in a row in 2007-08. • Accumulated 42 points with 15 assists and six steals. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Paul is the only player in NBA history to accumulate 40+ points, 15+ assists and 6+ steals in a single game. The NBA began tracking steals as an official stat in the 1973-74 season.

PLAYOFFS: Ranks first among playoff participants in both assists (10.3) and steals (3.0) per game. • Scored 10+ points five times and 20+ points five times and 30+ points once. • First on the team in double-doubles with eight and tied for first among playoff participants in double-doubles. • Followed up his 28 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals in Game 1 with 12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and five steals in Game 2. He is just the fourth player all-time to have two consecutive postseason games with at least 12 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Note: steals were tracked as an official NBA statistic beginning in the 1973-74 season. • Became the first player with at least 30 points and 10 assists on 75 percent shooting in playoff game since Michael Jordan in 1991. Set a playoff career-high three’s made with eight. • Recorded team-leading sixth double-double of the postseason on 5/9 vs. Oklahoma City with 21 points and 16 assists without committing a turnover. Since 1986, 5 players had at least 15 assists without a turnover in playoffs, he’s the first to do it twice. • Finished with league-leading eighth double-double of the playoffs on 5/13 at Oklahoma City with 17 points and 14 assists in addition to four steals in 40:25 minutes.

PREVIOUS SEASONS:
2012-13 (Clippers): Averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.41 steals in a career-low 33.4 minutes in 70 games (all starts). • Led league in steals per game and assists to turnover ratio, finished second in NBA in assists per game, sixth in free throw percentage. • Named NBA All-Star MVP after recording 20 points, 15 assists and four steals in the 143-138 West victory. • Raised All-Star Game averages to 12.4 assists and 3.4 steals which are both best in league history. • Made sixth All-Star appearance. Voted as starter by fans for the second time in a row as a member of the Clippers. • NBA Western Conference Player of the Month for December after leading Clippers to a 16-0 month with averages of 16.0 points, 9.3 assists and 2.63 steals. • Led Clippers in assists, steals, and free throws made. • Shot 49.2% (31-63) in the final five minutes of the 4th quarter when the game was within five points, ranking him 10th in the NBA. • Became the fourth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points and 5,000 career assists before his 28th birthday joining Magic Johnson, Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas. • Accumulated 11 or more assists with one turnover or less a league-high 13 times. • Scored a league-high three game-winning field goals in the final 10 seconds of games. • Only player in NBA to average more than 16.0 points, 9.0 assists and 2.4 steals. • Missed 12 games due to a bruised right kneecap.

PLAYOFFS:
In six games, led team in points (22.8), assists (6.3) and steals (1.83) to go along with 4.0 rebounds in 37.3 minutes per game, including tying a playoff career-high with 35 points in Game 5.

2011-12 (Clippers): Averaged 19.8 points, 9.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.53 steals in 36.4 minutes. Played in 60 games (all starts). • Led league in steals per game, finished third in NBA in assists per game, 13th in points per game and second in assists/turnover ratio. • Finished season as one of only two players (Tim Hardaway – 1990-91) in NBA history to average 19.0+ points, 9.0+ assists, 3.5+ rebounds and 2.0+ steals. • Named NBA Player of the Week for April 8-15. • Made fifth All-Star appearance. Voted as starter by fans. • Led Clippers in assists, steals, and free throws made. • His 369 4th quarter points was the second- highest total in the NBA. Finished season shooting 50.4% from field in the 4th quarter. • Second in the NBA with 143 points scored with his team ahead or behind in the final five minutes of games. • Scored a league-high three game-winning field goals in the final 10 seconds of games. • Only player in NBA to average over 19.0 points, 9.0 assists and 2.5 steals. • Had streak of 55 straight games with at least one steal come to end on 3/31/12 vs. Utah. Streak lasted from 3/27/11 – 3/31/12. • Established new Clippers franchise record for most assists in a calendar month with 185 total assists in March. • Scored a Clippers season-high 36 points two times, 2/22/12 vs. Denver and 3/9/12 at San Antonio. • Missed five games with strained left hamstring 1/16/12 – 1/22/12. • Registered 24 points/assists double-doubles. Reached double-figures in assists 25 times. • Scored 30+ points seven times and scored over 20+ points 28 times. • Led Clippers in assists 54 times, steals 35 times, points 22 times and minutes 24 times. • Made Clippers debut 12/25/11 at Golden State. Started and scored 20 points (7-12 FG, 1-3 3FG, 5-6 FT), including six points and four assists in final 6:08. • 1/29/12 at Denver, had 25 points (9-19 FG, 3 -6 3FG, 4-4 FT), team-high seven assists, six rebounds in 37:36. Scored 23 of 25 points in 2nd half to lead Clippers to win. • 2/10/12 at Philadelphia, had 24 points (10- 20 FG, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists in 39:12. Scored game-winning jump-shot with 3.9 seconds remaining. • 3/22/12 at New Orleans, had 16 points (5- 14 FG, 1-5 3FG, 5-5 FT), nine assists in return to New Orleans, first game at New Orleans Arena since trade sending him to Clippers. • 3/30/12 vs. Portland, had 20 points (8-13 FG, 3-4 FT), 1 rebound, 14 assists, 4 steals in 39:11. Made game-winning lay-up with 5.0 seconds remaining. • 4/11/12 at Oklahoma City, had 31 points (11-20 FG, 2-4 3FG, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two steals in 36:48. Scored nine of Clippers final 11 points and had game-winning lay-up with 8.8 seconds remaining. • 4/14/12 vs. Golden State, had 28 points (12-17 FG, 3-3 3FG, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, 13 assists, three steals in 35:38, scored 12 points in 4th quarter. • 4/22/12 vs. New Orleans, became only player in Clippers franchise history and only NBA player since 1985 -86 to record 33 points, 13 assists, four steals and four rebounds in a game. Became first Clippers since Malik Sealy on 3/30/97 to record eight steals in a game.

PLAYOFFS: Averaged 17.6 points to go with team-highs in assists (7.9 assists), steals (2.73 steals) and minutes (38.5 minutes) in 11 playoff games.

2010-11 (New Orleans): Averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 36.0 minutes in 80 games (all starts). • Fourth straight (second start) Western Conference All-Star selection, scoring 10 points, tying for team lead with seven assists and leading all All-Stars with five steals in 29 minutes. • Western Conference Player of the Week for November 1-November 7. • Received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for October. • Ranked first in the NBA in steals and assist-to turnover ratio, second in total assists, fourth in assists per game and 11th in free throw percentage. • Led Hornets in assists, steals and minutes. • Collected 32 double-doubles (12th in the NBA). • Had 13 games of 20+ points and 10+ assists, had 23 games of 20+ points and one game of 30+ points. • 4/6/11 vs. Houston, narrowly missed a triple-double with 28 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. • 3/12/11 vs. Sacramento, notched the fifth 33 point, 15 assist, seven rebound and five steal game in NBA history. • 12/27/10 at Minnesota, tallied 22 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and five steals, the 16th game in the last two decades with those totals. • Missed two games due to a concussion.

PLAYOFFS: Averaged 22.0 points, 11.5 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 41.7 minutes in six games.

2009-10 (New Orleans): Averaged 18.7 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 38.0 minutes in 45 games (all starts). • Third-straight Western Conference All- Star selection (did not play due to injury). • Western Conference Player of the Month for January. • Ranked second in the NBA in assists per game and third in steals. • Led the Hornets in assists, steals and minutes. • Had 11 games of 20+ points and 10+ assists, 23 double-doubles, had 20 games of 20+ points and five games of 30+ points. • 11/4/09 vs. Dallas, scored 39 points (14- 23 FG) in 45 minutes. • 12/18/09 vs. Denver, had 30 points, season- high
19 assists and nine rebounds. • 12/29/09 at Houston, recorded only triple-double of season with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. • Missed a career-high 37 games due to injury (eight ankle, 25 left knee surgery, four right middle finger).

2008-09 (New Orleans): Averaged career-highs in points (22.8), rebounds (5.5), steals (2.8) and minutes (38.5), to go along with 11.0 assists in 78 games (all starts). • Starting point guard for the Western Conference All-Stars where he had 14 points and 14 assists (becoming just the fourth player in All-Star Game history to reach 14+ points and 14+ assists in the game and his second straight season to do so) in 29 minutes. • Two-time Western Conference Player of the Month (November and March) and fourtime Western Conference Player of the Week (more than any other Western Conference player). • Ranked first in the NBA in assists per game and steals (only player in NBA history to lead the league in those categories two seasons in a row). • Ranked second in triple-doubles, third in double-doubles and seventh in the NBA in scoring. • First player in the NBA in the last 15 seasons to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in a season (he has done it two years in a row). • Led the Hornets in points, assists, steals and minutes. • Set NBA record with 108 consecutive games with a steal (4/13/07-12/25/08). • Had 30 games of 20+ points and 10+ assists, 50 double-doubles, six triple-doubles, scored in double-figures in 76 games, had 52 games of 20+ points, 15 games of 30+ points and two 40+ point games. • Paul became the second-fastest player in NBA history to reach 2,500 assists (1/16) behind Oscar Robertson (247 career games), doing so in 258 career games. • 4/5/09 at Golden State, tied his careerhigh of 43 points. • 4/10/09 at Dallas, had 42 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. • 1/14/09 at Dallas, had 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals (only Michael Ray Richardson has ever equaled a game of those numbers in NBA history). • 12/26/08 vs. Philadelphia, collected 27 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and seven steals becoming the only player in NBA history to reach those statistical numbers in an NBA game. • 4/6/09 vs. Golden state, totaled 16 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. • Missed a total of four games due to a groin strain.

PLAYOFFS: Averaged 16.6 points, 10.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 40.2 minutes in five games.

2007-08 (New Orleans): Averaged 21.1 points, 11.6 assists, 2.7 steals, 4.0 rebounds and 37.6 minutes in 80 games (all starts). • Member of the Western Conference All- Stars where he had 16 points and 14 assists (becoming just the fourth player in All-Star Game history to reach 14+ points and 14+ assists in the game) and a PlayStation Skills Challenge participant during All-Star Weekend. • Two-time Western Conference Player of the Month (December and March) and two time Western Conference Player of the Week (December 24-30 and March 17-23). • Ranked first in the NBA in assists per game and steals (first player since John Stockton in 1991-92 to lead the league in both). • Ranked second in double doubles and 19th in the NBA in scoring. • First player in the NBA in the previous 15 seasons to average 20-plus points and 10- plus assists in a season. • Led the Hornets in points, assists, steals and minutes. • Had 11 games of 20+points and 15+ assists while the rest of the NBA had eight such games combined. • Recorded one triple-double, 56 doubledoubles, 31 20/10 games, scored in doublefigures in 75 games, had 42 games of 20+ points, 12 games of 30+ points and three 40+ point games. • Dished out 10+ assists in 59 games. • 12/7/07 vs. Memphis, had a career-high 43 points while hitting the game-winner in overtime. • 2/20/08 vs. Dallas, had 31 points, 11 assists and nine steals. • 11/6/08 at Lakers, set a franchise record with 21 assists. • 4/6/08 vs. Golden State, tallied 16 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. • Missed a total of two games due to a sprained right ankle.

PLAYOFFS: Averaged 24.1 points, 11.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 40.5 minutes in 12 games.

2006-07 (New Orleans): Averaged 17.3 points, 8.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.84 steals in 64 games (all starts) • Member of the sophomore squad at the 2007 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam (16 points, a game-record 17 assists and nine steals in the sophomores’ win) and a PlayStation Skills Challenge participant during All-Star Weekend. • Ranked fourth in the NBA in assists per game. • Led the Hornets in assists, steals and total points. • Recorded one triple-double, 27 doubledoubles, 12 20/10 games, scored in double- figures in 53 games and had 24 games of 20+ points. • Dished out 10+ assists in 30 games.
• Missed a total of 18 games due to injury.

COLLEGE:
Helped lead Wake Forest to 48 wins in two seasons, two NCAA Tournament berths and one Sweet 16 appearance. • His career free throw percentage (83.8) ranks fifth in Wake Forest history, while his career three-point percentage (46.9) is the second-highest in Wake history. • Ranks seventh in school history with 395 career assists and seventh in steals • As a sophomore was named Consensus First Team All-American, earning recognition from the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA. • Was a finalist for the Wooden, Naismith and Rupp Player of the Year awards. • Named First Team All-ACC and to the league’s All-Defensive Team. •

Led the conference in both assist-toturnover ratio (2.4) and steals (2.4 steals). • His 76 steals were the fourth-most in Wake history. • Ranked second in the ACC and 13th nationally in assists (6.6 apg). • His 212 assists were the third-most in Wake Forest history. • As a freshman, was named the National Freshman of the Year by College Insider, The Sporting News, Basketball Times and Dick Vitale.

PERSONAL:
Son of Charles and Robin Paul. • Brother C.J. played basketball at South Carolina-Spartanburg. • Has a son, Chris, and daughter, Camryn. • Gold medalist for the 2008 Senior Men’s Basketball Team at the Beijing Olympics, averaging 8.0 points on 50 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds and a team-high 4.1 assists per game. • Gold medalist for the 2012 Senior Men’s Basketball Team at the London Olympics, averaging 8.3 points, 5.1 assists and a tournament- high 2.5 steals per game. • As a freshman at Wake, Paul carried with him to every game a copy of his grandfather’s obituary…Paul’s grandfather was tragically killed during his senior year of high school…On the day of the funeral, Paul scored 61 points – one for every year of his grandfather’s life. • Has his own basketball shoe and clothing line by Brand Jordan. • An avid bowler who owns his own ball and shoes and serves as a spokesperson for the United States Bowling Congress.