Chris Paul: Billups Version 2.0?

[DERRENMATTS]

Never dawned on me until today, as I was watching the Game 1 of the Finals. Chris Paul is a lot like Chauncy Billups. He doesn't have the strong body like Billups has, but they both have similar playing styles. Both are equally dangerous to pass or shoot and both set the tempo of the offense well. Paul moves around with the ball quicker and with more regularity, and Billups is more deliberate when setting up plays. But both use the pick and roll well and can use that play to get players the ball. Both have centered personalities that allow them to capture their teammates' trust. Neither dribble unnecessarily nor dribble just to look good.

But the biggest part for me is that like Billups, Chris Paul knows that he's not just a scorer and will pass the ball up to teammates. And he knows he's not just a passer and will look to score some points. And he knows he has to create some opportunities for his teammates so he'll try to pick apart the defense with penetrations and kickouts.

He's a threat from all facets of the position. He's not a big time assist guy like Nash, nor a big time scorer like Iverson. But like Billups, he contributes in all categories--all while displaying a calm demeanor.

[mev17]

And this type of player is best suited for our team, because we certainly don't want our PG to dominate the ball with Ricky, AJ and West on our team but we can use a PG who can hit the J when the defense sags, which as Ainge pointed our GP could not do for us with regularity.

I'm sure one reason behind the Portland rumor is that Chris Paul is the type of player Ainge likes, and Portland with the high pick and Van Excel contract would seem to be viable trade partners with Boston. I'm still not sure it will happen; at least not until Milwaukee and Atlanta have alread picked so that Ainge would be sure he can get Chris Paul.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking as well. As much as I have been lobbying for Felton, I do feel that Chris Paul is more toward Ainge's liking because of his offense. He's more of a scorer than Felton is--at least in terms of mentality. All Felton wants to do is pass the ball (which is why I really like the kid). But Paul is a bit more conscious of when to shoot and when to pass. But he still has that leadership quality that allows him do what he thinks is right without getting his teammates all upset. If he takes three consecutive shots behind the arc and misses all 3, his teammates still have the confidence in him that he's making the right decision and will not complain.

[Deleted]

I like to get Chris Paul but if we're going to lose PP then its not worth it. Unless, we're getting a SF with the money left over after Van Exel gets cut.

[meltinjohn]

Lets drop this now. I hate seeing anything that says "Chris paul will be a nice fit here". He won't be. He is gonna be trouble. Doesn't any sensible human being in here agree with me?

[DERRENMATTS]

Since you are so sensible, why don't you tell us why you think Chris Paul won't fit in nicely here.

[Roadrunner]

I do not agree w/ Billups comparison. Billups, do you remember how well CU did when he played there?

Paul, as much as I like him, how far did he take Wake Forest? Not far enough. Besides, wasn' t that groin shot of Hodge a tad bit cheap? That "lack of control" cost his team a game, as well as a better seeding in the tournament.

Paul for "the truth", no deal.

[meltinjohn]

derrenmatts said:

Since you are so sensible, why don't you tell us why you think Chris Paul won't fit in nicely here.

The incident for one. If he did that in college, just think of what hell be like in the pro game. Hed be getting suspended left and right. You must F'n forget that huh Derren? You want to forget because you want him so bad. Well get into real life. Hes undersized also. Id rather have Dana than him. At least Dana doesn't have an attitude which Paul will have. Danny should just get Jack at 18 and Forget trading for a spot to get Paul.

[DERRENMATTS]

Alright Meltin, so Paul has been playing for Wake Forest for 2 years and has been a class act, regarded as one of the nicest guys around and a real character guy. But one cheapshot and all of a sudden he's a criminal, branded for life? Talk about throwing the first stone, Meltin. One incident is what you are basing your entire basis on. One incident.

And may I remind you that I am more of a Felton fan than I am a Chris Paul guy. I do not want him so bad. Good try on that one.

Ok, so basically, you are considering yourself a "sensible" person because the guy is undersized? And that Dana Barros is better than him? Yeah, as a shooter, but we are talking about the PG position.

I really don't like getting into confrontations with you, but you just can't go around saying that people aren't sensible human beings just because you don't agree with them. Lot of us don't agree with everything you say, but we don't resort to calling you names. You really got to learn how to use tact when you disagree with something.

[DERRENMATTS]

roadrunner said:

I do not agree w/ Billups comparison. Billups, do you remember how well CU did when he played there?

Paul, as much as I like him, how far did he take Wake Forest? Not far enough. Besides, wasn' t that groin shot of Hodge a tad bit cheap? That "lack of control" cost his team a game, as well as a better seeding in the tournament.

Paul for "the truth", no deal.

RR, you gotta remember that I'm not comparing how their teams turned out. I'm comparing thier game.

[DERRENMATTS]

Don't know if you guys are aware of his numbers so far at Wake, but this is what he's done:

2005: 15.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 45% FG%, 83% FT%, 47% 3PT%
2004: 14.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.9 apg, 2.7 spg, 50% FG%, 84% FT%, 47% 3PT%

Couple of things that really stand out. His 2.5 steals per game average over the 2 year period is very remarkable. That's Allen Iverson territory. Another thing is his efficiency scoring the ball. He's shot 45% or better from the field, 83% or better from the free throw line, and a whopping 47% from three point land. And its not a small sample either. He takes about 3 shot attempts beyond the arc per game. And his assist to turnover ratio is better than 2 - 1 in both years.

He can score as well as dish it out. And he's a pest on defense, as evident by his steals average. Some scouts view him as the next Isaiah Thomas (NBADraft)--I view him as the next Chauncy Billups. But whoever he turns out to be like, he is a legitimate high lottery pick. Granted, his size is an issue, but like the cliche goes, you don't measure a player by the size of his stature, you measure the size of his heart.

[meltinjohn]

derrenmatts said:

Alright Meltin, so Paul has been playing for Wake Forest for 2 years and has been a class act, regarded as one of the nicest guys around and a real character guy. But one cheapshot and all of a sudden he's a criminal, branded for life? Talk about throwing the first stone, Meltin. One incident is what you are basing your entire basis on. One incident.

And may I remind you that I am more of a Felton fan than I am a Chris Paul guy. I do not want him so bad. Good try on that one.

Ok, so basically, you are considering yourself a "sensible" person because the guy is undersized? And that Dana Barros is better than him? Yeah, as a shooter, but we are talking about the PG position.

I really don't like getting into confrontations with you, but you just can't go around saying that people aren't sensible human beings just because you don't agree with them. Lot of us don't agree with everything you say, but we don't resort to calling you names. You really got to learn how to use tact when you disagree with something.

Did you ever think Felton might be overrated also? This draft there are no guarantees a guy like that is gonna be great. And maybe Pauls incident was a freak thing. It looked so bad though.
You're starting another argument right now with what you said on the bottom part where I don't think anyone else is a sensible human being. I just said I hoped any sensible human being agrees with me. I have to use tact? Whaaaaaaaat? If you can't take me, dont respond to me. its that simple.

[DERRENMATTS]

I hate seeing anything that says "Chris paul will be a nice fit here". He won't be. He is gonna be trouble. Doesn't any sensible human being in here agree with me?

This implies that you are a sensible human being and the rest of us who don't agree with you aren't. Just because we think Chris Paul can be a good fit here we are not sensible? BTW, you still haven't told us why you think we are wrong.

I've seen Raymond Felton play a ton of times and I have a bunch of UNC games from this past year on tape. I have seen Chris Paul a handful of times and I see the potential in the guy. But I have never referred to any of the PG's as being a potentially great player. I do not even consider guys like Kobe or Tmac to be great players. I rarely use that word. What I've been saying is that Chris Paul could be a good fit with our team because of his ability to score and pass and for the feel he possesses for the game. I said I'd like to get Felton because he's such an amazing passer and I feel that he could get our running game going.

[Roadrunner]

Derren - good point. I guess when I watch the NCAA tournament, and I hear about a Paul, a Granger, etc, I think they are going to be Danny Manning and literally carry their team.

[Roadrunner]

Also, I like Felton because he knows how to run the point. I have seen him a few times, and each time he knew exactly when to pass, shoot, etc. Though, when I did see him vs/ UCONN's Williams, I was pretty impressed w/ Williams as well.