NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Clippers vs. Jazz matchup
By Connor Learn
1. Chris Paul and “Chris Paul’s legacy”
Chris Paul may be the most complete point guard of all time. He has averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 assists over his 12 year career and earned eight (possibly nine) All-Defensive Team nods during that time as well. Add in his 37 percent mark from on 3-pointers during his career, and there are really no glaring flaws in his game. Paul is the best point guard of his era and will be in the Hall of Fame one day. But there is still one knock on his legacy: playoff success
Paul has led many good, but not great teams during his years as a player. First with New Orleans and now with Los Angeles, he has led nine teams into the playoffs and not advanced past the second round. Though it is fair to say that playoff success may be weighed too heavily when evaluating players, many look down on Paul’s abilities because he hasn’t reached the Conference Finals. Those people’s logic is this: if Chris Paul’s teams were good but not great, then he is good but not great too.
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The opportunities are becoming increasingly numbered for Paul. He turns 32 in May and is approaching the end of his prime. If he is going to be the leader of a team that advances well into the playoffs, then now may be the time. Paul will try to take this series over and do whatever he can to make sure the Clippers come out on top. When the best player in the series is supremely motivated, it is a recipe for success for their team. Clippers fans hope that is what will put them over the top in the first round.