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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Chris Paul OKC Thunder (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Passing.

Chris Paul has always been an excellent passer of the basketball. He has led the league four times in assists and has five seasons where he averaged more than ten assists per game. Paul is simply not going to average those numbers on the OKC Thunder.

Paul last led the league when he had DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin in lob city. Add to that, Paul had J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford to pass to, both of who are among the best shooters the NBA has ever witnessed.

There is no real spot up shooters on the Thunder roster of the caliber of Redick and Crawford. Steven Adams plays a little further away from the basket than Jordan ever could. When getting the ball to Shai Gilgoeous-Alexander, the young guard will be put into a good position by Paul but will dribble the ball too much for an assist to be registered.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1197030824551571456?s=20

Paul is loving giving the ball up to Danilo Gallinari for the shot because of how well the big man shoots it. However, there is one other factor which is stopping Paul from reaching those lofty heights again — ball movement.

Paul might get the ball to a player for a good shot, but as the defense rotates over, the player moves the ball to a player with a better shot. Paul does not get the assist but he has set up the play or what we often refer to as the hockey assist.

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