8 Moments That Explain How Chris Paul Changed Basketball

Chris Paul will play his last season in the NBA. When he eventually retires, he will close one of the most influential chapters the NBA has ever seen. Some retirements feel expected. Many fans and experts believed this would be the last season CP3 plays in the league. But with his retirement official, the league suddenly feels different. His career had everything: mastery, leadership, and longevity. He is one of the few players who has played 21 seasons in the league. With that said, let’s take a look at some of his best moments.

8 Moments That Explain How Chris Paul Changed Basketball

With the official retirement of Chris Paul, we need to take a look at some of his records. He will finish his career second in assists and second in steals. He is behind John Stockton in both categories. Here is a fun fact: CP3 is the only player to lead the league in both assists and steals in three seasons. Stockton did it twice, but CP3 did it three times. Now let’s take a look at some of his legendary moments.

56 Wins with the Hornets

In just his third season in the league, Paul completely changed the New Orleans Hornets. Before they drafted him, they won only 18 games. In his first two seasons, Paul won 38 and 39 games. But then in his third season, he led the team to 56 wins and finished second in MVP voting. The breakout season established him as one of the elite players in the league. He averaged 21.1 points on 48.8% shooting, 11.6 assists (led the league), and 2.7 steals (led the league).

In the playoffs, CP3 and the Hornets dismantled the Dallas Mavericks 4–1 in the first round. In the second round, they lost in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs.

Legendary Game 7 vs. the Spurs in 2015

Speaking of CP3 against the Spurs, that story has several chapters. Now playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, they faced the defending champions in the first round. The series went back and forth, and in Game 7, CP3 played on an injured hamstring. Yet, he scored 27 points, including a last-second game-winner over Tim Duncan. Not many small point guards have been able to dominate the game like him.