The Legacy of Chris Paul Chris Paul, often referred to as “CP3” and “the Point God,” is not just a name in the world of basketball; he is a phenomenon.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, his career is a testament to skill, leadership, and perseverance.
Overview Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Paul’s career has spanned several successful franchises, each benefiting from his exceptional playmaking and court vision.
He is a 12-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA team member, and a 9-time NBA All-Defensive team selection. Paul has also led the NBA in assists five times and steals a record six times, cementing his place among the elite.
Early Life and High School Career
From Winston-Salem to National Recognition Christopher Emmanuel Paul was born on May 6, 1985, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, though some sources indicate his birthplace as Lewisville, North Carolina.
He spent his formative years in this region, which shaped both his character and his love for the game. Growing up, Paul was deeply influenced by his grandfather, Nathaniel “Papa” Jones, who instilled in him the importance of hard work and dedication.
High School Years Paul attended West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina. His high school career was nothing short of remarkable. He became a McDonald’s All-American, showcasing his talent on a national stage.
His performance in high school made it clear that he was destined for greatness, setting the stage for his rise in the world of basketball.
His dedication and talent were evident early on, with one notable instance when he scored 61 points in a game, dedicating it to his recently deceased grandfather.
College Career at Wake Forest
Key Achievements:
- Led Wake Forest to its first-ever No. 1 national ranking.
- Named an Academic All-American, excelling both on and off the court.
- Selected to the 2005 NCAA Men’s Basketball Consensus All-American First Team.
- Wake Forest retired his jersey in honor of his contributions.
- Guided the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2005.
Impact & Legacy:
- Displayed exceptional leadership and skill, shaping the success of Wake Forest basketball.
- His impressive college performances led him to declare for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year.
NBA Career: Early Years
- Drafted in 2005: Selected 4th overall by the New Orleans Hornets, marking the start of his professional journey.
- Hurricane Katrina Impact: Played two seasons in Oklahoma City as the Hornets temporarily relocated.
- Rookie of the Year (2006): Won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, showcasing his immediate impact.
- Early Development:
- Improved in his second season, averaging 17.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.
- Participated in the 2006 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge.
- Faced injuries but continued to develop into a rising star.
NBA Career: Rise to Stardom
- Becoming a Superstar: Established himself as one of the NBA’s best point guards, known for his exceptional playmaking, scoring ability, and leadership.
- New Orleans Hornets (2007–2011):
- 2007-08 Season:
- First All-Star Game selection, a recognition he would repeat multiple times throughout his career.
- Led the Hornets to a franchise-record 56 wins.
- Finished second in MVP voting, and earned spots on the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.
- Set an NBA record with 106 consecutive games with a steal.
- Led the Hornets to the playoffs, where he recorded 17 assists in Game 2 against the Mavericks.
- 2008 Contract Extension: Signed a three-year extension with the Hornets.
- 2007-08 Season:
NBA Career: Los Angeles Clippers and “Lob City”
- Trade to the Clippers (2011): Chris Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, marking the beginning of the “Lob City” era, a period known for its high-flying alley-oop dunks and fast-paced offense.
- Playoff Upsets and Achievements:
- Leadership Role: Paul was key in transforming the Clippers into a formidable team, earning recognition as one of the NBA’s elite point guards.
- 2011-12 Season: Named to the All-NBA First Team.
- 2013 All-Star Game MVP: Showcased his brilliance on a national stage by winning the All-Star Game MVP.
- Playoff Struggles: Despite his leadership, the Clippers struggled in the playoffs, consistently being eliminated in the second round during Paul’s tenure. He often faced criticism for the team’s inability to advance further, despite his undeniable contributions.
- 2013 Contract Extension: Signed a five-year contract extension with the Clippers.
- Injury in 2013-14: Suffered a shoulder injury, missing six weeks during the season.
- Final Years with the Clippers:
- 2016-17 Season: Paul missed 21 games due to injury or rest and did not earn All-NBA honors.
- This season marked the end of the “Lob City” era, as he was traded to the Houston Rockets, solidifying his reputation as one of the best point guards in NBA history.
NBA Career: Houston Rockets and Beyond
Teaming Up with James Harden (Houston Rockets, 2017–2019):
- Traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017, where he formed a dynamic partnership with James Harden. The duo was expected to elevate the Rockets to new heights.
- 2017-18 Season: The Rockets set a franchise-record 65 wins, and Paul made his first Conference Finals appearance. However, a hamstring injury kept him out of the final two games, and the Rockets lost to the Golden State Warriors.
- In 2018, he signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Rockets.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020):
- Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, where he embraced a leadership role. Despite speculation that the team would trade him, he earned praise from his coach.
- Named a Western Conference All-Star reserve for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, his 10th selection.
- Led the Thunder to the 2020 NBA Playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by his former team, the Houston Rockets.
Phoenix Suns (2020–2023):
- Traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2020.
- 2020-21 Season: Helped lead the Suns to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. Also reached the milestone of 10,000 career assists, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to do so.
- Despite the Suns’ improbable run to the Finals, they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Underwent wrist surgery after the season.
- Signed a new deal to stay with the Suns and helped the team finish with the best record in the league in the 2021-22 season.
- However, the Suns failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs, with Paul suffering his fifth career loss after a 2-0 series lead.
- Missed games in the 2022-23 season due to injury, contributing to a 22-20 record for the Suns.
Golden State Warriors (2023–2024):
- Traded to the Golden State Warriors in 2023.
- Suffered a fractured left hand in January 2024, requiring surgery.
- Waived by the Warriors after the 2023-24 season.
San Antonio Spurs (2024–Present):
Signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2024, beginning the next chapter of his illustrious career.
National Team Career
Representing the United States Chris Paul has also represented the United States in international competitions.
He won two Olympic gold medals, first in Beijing in 2008 and again in London in 2012. He also participated in the FIBA World Championship in Japan in 2006, winning a bronze medal. His contributions to Team USA have further cemented his legacy in basketball .
Player Profile and Skills
- Physical Attributes:
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Weight: 175 pounds (79 kg)
- Position: Exclusively plays as a point guard
- Skill Set:
- Known for exceptional court vision, playmaking, and scoring ability.
- Career averages:
- 17.9 points
- 4.5 rebounds
- 9.5 assists
- 2.1 steals
- Recognition and Rankings:
- 11-time All-NBA honoree
- 9-time All-Defensive team selection
- Led the NBA in steals 6 times and assists 5 times.
- Ranked the 3rd-best player in the league by ESPN and Sports Illustrated in 2013.
- ESPN’s Kevin Pelton called him the best point guard when healthy.
- Ranked 30th-greatest player in NBA history by The Athletic in 2022.
X. Off the Court
- Family:
- Married to Jada Crawley, with two children.
- Strong Christian faith influences his personal life.
- Has two brothers, one of whom is his agent.
- Charitable and Business Endeavors:
- Active in charitable work through the CP3 Foundation.
- Owns stakes in the Winston-Salem Dash and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) League.
- Became a vegan in 2019 and is a brand ambassador for Beyond Meat.
- Partnered with Gopuff to expand their plant-based food offerings.
- Education and Writing:
- Graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
- Published his memoir, Sixty One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court, in 2023.
- Leadership:Served as president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) from 2013 to 2021.
XI. Career Statistics
Key Stats
- Regular Season:
- Games Played: 1,322
- Points Per Game: 17.5
- Rebounds Per Game: 4.5
- Assists Per Game: 9.4
- Steals Per Game: 2.1
- Field Goal Percentage: .471
- Three-Point Percentage: .369
- Free Throw Percentage: .870
- 2024-25 Season (with Spurs)
- Games Played: 50
- Points Per Game: 9.3
- Rebounds Per Game: 4.0
- Assists Per Game: 8.1
- Field Goal Percentage: 41.9
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.3
- Free Throw Percentage: 95.8
NBA Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | New Orleans | 78 | 78 | 36.0 | .430 | .282 | .847 | 5.1 | 7.8 | 2.2 | .1 | 16.1 |
| 2006-07 | New Orleans | 64 | 64 | 36.8 | .437 | .350 | .818 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 1.8 | .0 | 17.3 |
| 2007-08 | New Orleans | 80 | 80 | 37.6 | .488 | .369 | .851 | 4.0 | 11.6 | 2.7 | .1 | 21.1 |
| 2008-09 | New Orleans | 78 | 78 | 38.5 | .503 | .364 | .868 | 5.5 | 11.0 | 2.8 | .1 | 22.8 |
| 2009-10 | New Orleans | 45 | 45 | 38.1 | .493 | .409 | .847 | 4.2 | 10.7 | 2.1 | .2 | 18.7 |
| 2010-11 | New Orleans | 80 | 80 | 36.0 | .463 | .388 | .878 | 4.1 | 9.8 | 2.4 | .1 | 15.9 |
| 2011-12 | L.A. Clippers | 60 | 60 | 36.3 | .478 | .371 | .861 | 3.6 | 9.1 | 2.5 | .1 | 19.8 |
| 2012-13 | L.A. Clippers | 70 | 70 | 33.4 | .481 | .328 | .885 | 3.7 | 9.7 | 2.4 | .1 | 16.9 |
| 2013-14 | L.A. Clippers | 62 | 62 | 35.0 | .467 | .368 | .855 | 4.3 | 10.7 | 2.5 | .1 | 19.1 |
| 2014-15 | L.A. Clippers | 82 | 82 | 34.8 | .485 | .398 | .900 | 4.6 | 10.2 | 1.9 | .2 | 19.1 |
| 2015-16 | L.A. Clippers | 74 | 74 | 32.7 | .462 | .371 | .896 | 4.2 | 10.0 | 2.1 | .2 | 19.5 |
| 2016-17 | L.A. Clippers | 61 | 61 | 31.5 | .476 | .411 | .892 | 5.0 | 9.2 | 2.0 | .1 | 18.1 |
| 2017-18 | Houston | 58 | 58 | 31.8 | .460 | .380 | .919 | 5.4 | 7.9 | 1.7 | .2 | 18.6 |
| 2018-19 | Houston | 58 | 58 | 32.0 | .419 | .358 | .862 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 2.0 | .3 | 15.6 |
| 2019-20 | Oklahoma City | 70 | 70 | 31.5 | .489 | .365 | .907 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 1.6 | .2 | 17.6 |
| 2020-21 | Phoenix | 70 | 70 | 31.4 | .499 | .395 | .934 | 4.5 | 8.9 | 1.4 | .3 | 16.4 |
| 2021-22 | Phoenix | 65 | 65 | 32.9 | .493 | .317 | .837 | 4.4 | 10.8 | 1.9 | .3 | 14.7 |
| 2022-23 | Phoenix | 59 | 59 | 32.0 | .440 | .375 | .831 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 1.5 | .4 | 13.9 |
| 2023-24 | Golden State | 58 | 18 | 26.4 | .441 | .371 | .827 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 1.2 | .1 | 9.2 |
| Career | 1,272 | 1,232 | 34.1 | .471 | .369 | .870 | 4.5 | 9.4 | 2.1 | .2 | 17.5 |
All-Star Games:
- Games Played: 11
- Assists Per Game: 11.6
- Paul also holds an NBA record in All-Star Games for steals with 2.4 per game.
Additional Career Statistics
- Games Started: 1282
- Minutes Played: 44,767
- Field Goals Made: 11,061
- Field Goals Attempted: 22,874
- 3-Pointers Made: 2,443
- 3-Pointers Attempted: 6,542
- Free Throws Made: 8,627
- Free Throws Attempted: 16,332
- Rebounds: 6,152
- Assists: 12,330
- Steals: 2,874
- Blocks: 311
- Turnovers: 3,775
- Personal Fouls: 4,375
- Points: 29,810
Awards and Honors
Achievements and Recognition Chris Paul’s career is adorned with numerous awards and honors, reflecting his exceptional talent and contributions to the game. Some of the key accolades include:
- NBA Rookie of the Year Award (2006)
- NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (2013)
- 12-time NBA All-Star selection
- 11-time All-NBA Team selection
- 9-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection
- Led the NBA in assists five times
- Led the NBA in steals six times
- Two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012)
- Selection to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
- NBA Steal Leader (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- NBA Assist Leader (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2022)
- Most Defensive Win Shares by a player 6’1” or shorter (2nd all-time)
Buzz Williams