When the Phoenix Suns withdrew blockbuster trade of the year for Kevin Durant, many pundits have begun selecting them as Western Conference representatives in the NBA Finals. Looking at their core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton and Durant, it’s easy to see why they’ve made it to the charts in the minds of many. The group’s elder statesman, CP3never been in a better position (on paper) to win the NBA title.
Since we know this, it shouldn’t be unfair to say that it’s time for Paul to repay this. The “Instructor,” as some of you like to call him as he grows older and decays, must make the most of the opportunity that has fallen on his lap. But among the players that make up the new “Big 3 + 1” of the Suns, no one is under more pressure to take home the championship than Mr.
Despite the continued backlash at Golden State for three years, Durant helped the Golden State Warriors reach three consecutive NBA Finals and win consecutive titles as well as the Finals MVP award in the process. Booker is a great young player and was even considered the MVP of the league last season, but he’s not up to the same standard at this point. And Ayton sometimes appears as if he wants to be anywhere but Phoenix.
More suitable nicknames for other legends
CP3 is the only player alongside KD in any great conversation of all time. Yes, Paul is one of the best to ever play in this position, but he is no ‘god’. While he doesn’t give himself a nickname, there are at least a few advocates more deserving of that moniker than Paul. Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are the first two names that come to mind for most longtime NBA watchers. Thomas’ middle name is really God, so he knows Paul well. But no one called Thomas “Score Lord” during his days with the association. He led the Detroit Pistons to three consecutive Finals and won consecutive championships.
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Some would rank Oscar Robertson and Stephen Curry ahead of Paul on the ranking. all-time opinion defender list. While Curry is more of a shooting defender (by playing style), he has been listed as a Golden State PG for his entire career. As an on-field technician in that position, Paul is the archetypal PG, unlike Curry, who is more of a hybrid or hybrid defender. When it comes to degrees and achievements, Curry gets a nod for the so-called cult. Robertson even has the championship ring and is the first player to average the double in a season.
Paul was once a great player and played for some very good teams, although some were overrated. Like the Clippers teams he’s played on have been selected to the Finals over the years by national hosts and columnists like Stephen A. Smith. How did Paul, Blake Griffin and that crew repay those who blindly trusted them? Multiple exits from the second round after the season. When the Clippers finally overcame the hurdle in the second round in 2021, Paul Griffin and the others were long gone.
Now, the 37-year-old tectonic machine has another chance for a team with the second-highest win-all ratio. Durant was fired this year, and the Suns exchanged for him, upon learning of this fact. But there will be no room for excuses when Durant is back healthy with Paul, Booker and Ayton. Paul is no longer the best player on his team, but he could be the most important ingredient in helping the Suns go deep after this season. If the four cores of the Suns are healthy in the knockouts and at least don’t make it to the Finals, then all this “Spirit Point” nonsense needs to come to an end. He’s an all-time great player for what he does, but he’s no god, son.
