Fansided

30 players who define each NBA franchise

By Adam McGee

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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PG. New Orleans Hornets 2005-11. Chris Paul. #3. player. 69.

Honorable Mentions: David West, Baron Davis, Anthony Davis

May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

There aren’t many franchises with a history as short as that of the New Orleans Pelicans, having only come into existence then as the Hornets back in 2002. Yet it feels like they’ve been around longer somehow, and that might just be because even in their infancy, Chris Paul pushed New Orleans to the forefront of everyone’s attention.

If you’ve ever looked back to examine all the fuss that surrounded Chris Paul’s eventual trade talk in New Orleans, you’ll quickly realize that it was created by just how good Paul was. The league vetoed his trade to the Lakers because they felt it didn’t offer New Orleans a fair return, but also likely because they were concerned about competitive balance.

Entering the league as a fourth overall pick, Paul showed that he could take control of a franchise and make it his own. His numbers were fantastic, and they quickly improved further. For his third and fourth seasons in New Orleans, Paul led the league in assists, and also posted the two best seasons of his career averaging over 21 points and 11 assists per game in both years.

He’s as good as we’ve had come into our league in a long, long time. – Larry Brown

In the first of those seasons, Paul was the driving force behind a Hornets team that shocked most of the NBA, won Byron Scott Coach of the Year honors, and pushed San Antonio to seven games in the playoff semi-finals. Paul moved on to LA for supposedly better things, but to date he’s yet to surpass the marks he set in the Big Easy.

Next: New York Knicks

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