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November 24, 2008
Chris Paul is the best pure point guard in the NBA. Of course that alone could be argued, but he’s unquestionably building a Springfield-worthy resume and will likely be an MVP candidate for years and years to come. What’s much more debatable is who’s behind him at the position. Which players of the classic point mould most gracefully bridge the gap between the waning likes of Jason Kidd and burgeoning sorts like Derrick Rose. I’d like to throw one Devin Harris into the ring. Or at least his name, anyway. It’s no secret the Wisconsin alum can ball, I’m not breaking any stories there. But in true anti-John Hollinger style I’d like to suggest he’s more elite than anyone on the New Jersey Nets should probably ever get credit for. Why? Firstly, the scoring. When you take away the Dwayne Wades and Allen Iversons, the guys that shoot more so than facilitate, there’s really no 1 in the Association that can fill it up like Harris. After four seasons, most of which were spent as a backup in Dallas, he’s getting consistent averaging 23 a game, including a recent 30-point outburst against a certain dinosaur-themed franchise that won’t be named herein. Hell, according to this story, he left the game in the third quarter, puked in the locker room Jordan style and then came back on to finish his 10-for-18 performance. Point is, he’s 10 years younger than Steve Nash, way less of an injury threat than Baron Davis (and having a much better season early on) and not named Ramon Sessions. His numbers are vastly superior to Rajon Rondo on a team where Vince Carter is the go-to and Sean Williams is the defensive stopper. His first step is almost unmatched, even by Brandon Roy. Yes, Harris lacks the quality playmaking IQ that say, Jose Calderon has begun to demonstrate in the last 100 or so games, but he’s a vastly superior athlete and actually has less mileage as a starter. Honestly, other than CP3, name a point in the NBA that has a better balance of pass, shoot and handle combined with age and, even after four years, remaining potential. Mo Williams? Come on. Beno Udrih? Money well spent, I’m sure. T.J. Ford? Nate Robinson? Not. So. Much. Even Roy, who probably doesn’t qualify as a pure point but is one of the sickest backcourters around, is averaging fewer points and assists and less than a single rebound more each night. And yes, I realize we’re only a dozen or so games into the year and Harris has only played in nine. I’m not trying to say he’s the second coming of John Stockton. But I am predicting that whether it’s in New Jersey where he’ll effectively be the most consistent scorer, or a better team where he can compliment and be complimented by better players, he’ll be leading the point guard pack for a solid five years, you know, before his own decline commences. And then I guess I’ll have to find some other guy to overhype.
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