Chris Paul is the real MVP. You’d have to be blind not to recognize that.
Paul came to a team that had a losing record and won just 19 games two seasons prior and after Thursday night’s 116-102 win over NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, sit just one game away from going to the Conference Finals.
Paul was just there a few years back with James Harden and if he didn’t get hurt and was forced to miss Game 7, then he might already be rocking some glitter on his fingers.
However, Paul’s injury misfortunes are well documented, and early on in these playoffs, it appeared as if a bad shoulder, suffered in the Lakers series would put him on the sidelines again.
We can all agree that if Paul wasn’t playing, the Suns wouldn’t be preparing for a clean sweep of a team that advanced to the Western Conference finals last season.
Joker won the MVP, but Chris Paul has masterminded the rise of a young Phoenix squad, lending his veteran savvy, his basketball intellect, leadership, and thirst for a championship to a team featuring two future superstars in Devin Booker — who dropped a 47 piece and a wing dinner on LeBron in the first round — and big man De Andre Ayton.
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🗣️ Becoming a vocal leader for the @Suns in Year 3.. Deandre Ayton wired on ESPN! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ahSvEJ7ns0
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2021
The play of both cornerstone players has elevated to another level of efficiency with Paul there to share his guidance and wisdom. Paul has never won a championship, but everything about him from his dogged mentality and competitive nature to his floor general abilities and shot-making prowess say he wears a crown.
The Nuggets are a formidable team, but without lead guard Jamal Murray they never had a chance against CP3 who scored 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting (many of those daggers late) and seven assists. A few of those dimes were served to Booker who blazed the Nuggets for 28 strong digits.
Ballin' at Ball Arena pic.twitter.com/LocebjYK27
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 12, 2021
Paul’s playoff performances have been Hall of Fame-worthy, as the 16-year veteran has scored 33 points and turned the ball over just three times in this entire series.
The MVP is one who elevates his team, especially in the face of adversity during crunch time.
Jokic had a monster stat sheet with 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his team lost miserably and he wasn’t able to raise their level of performance. The offense was stagnant and inefficient running through him on this night. Joker got a lot of putbacks and hustle points but his outside shot was trash and he never really established himself as the best player on the court.
Paul clearly assumed that role.
SUNS WIN AGAIN!!! The Phoenix Suns have taken a 3-0 lead over the Denver Nuggets in a 116-102 win in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/LuYQGj28aE
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) June 12, 2021
CP3 has done the best job in elevating his team to the next level. The diminutive dynamo is proving in these NBA playoffs that he’s as valuable to his team as any player in the league. In fact, he’s schooling everybody. His total hoops game is on another level, beyond the stat-stuffing madness that captivates fans.
Go chew on that truth stick. Give this man his 20 bag and let him smoke it.
