Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

The undiminished play of OKC Thunder guard Chris Paul

By Matthew Hallett

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder guard Chris Paul (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

During his time with the OKC Thunder Chris Paul has demonstrated his play is undiminished. A deeper dive reflects how OKC is benefitting from his presence.

After spending two seasons with the Houston Rockets., there were murmurs around the NBA that Chris Paul’s play was going downhill. His numbers were not what they used to be and he was losing his touch. The truth of the matter is that Paul is a better player with the ball in his hand and that was not going to happen with James Harden on the team.

Paul is certainly not the player that he was, age is catching up with him. He has lost a step, his point production is the second lowest of his career. However, what he has lost through age, he has gained back by using his experience.

Paul no longer needs to be the player putting up the huge numbers, his mentoring of younger players is just as crucial for any of his team’s success. However, looking at the raw numbers of Paul’s career, he is averaging 18.5 points, 9.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. His career slash line is 46.9/37.1/86.8.

This season with the OKC Thunder, Paul is averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. His slash line is 44.7/41.1/87.7 which compares incredibly well to his career numbers. Yes, he has dropped just under three points and four assists per game.

The numbers only ever tell half a story, they do not say how Paul is mentoring other players on the team. It also does not say how Paul is able to impact a game through his play at the most crucial moment of a game. This brings us to the first example of how his play has not diminished.

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