Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd told NBA reporters that Golden State Warriors veteran Chris Paul is “the blueprint of success” for the point guard position.
Kidd is second in NBA history in assists, while Paul is third.
“He’s had an incredible, Hall of Fame career,” Kidd said about Paul, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “When you talk about the point guard position, he’s the blueprint of success. He’s going to go down as one of the best to run a team. I think a lot of younger players look up to him. He’s a competitive guy, he has a big heart, loves the competition. He’s not afraid. No better person to pass me in assists.”
Paul is 302 assists away from passing Kidd on the NBA’s all-time assists list. Both players are NBA legends.
Kidd averaged 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.3 blocks during his NBA career with the Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. He made 10 All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams and nine All-Defensive teams.
A Hall of Famer, Kidd helped the Mavericks win the 2011 championship against the Miami Heat.
Paul holds career averages of 17.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.2 blocks with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Suns and Warriors. He’s made 12 All-Star teams, nine All-Defensive teams and 11 All-NBA teams.
“There just aren’t many guys like him anymore,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said about Paul. “I think Steph [Curry] has influenced a lot of the young point guards in the league now. So, shooting the three is a much bigger deal for the modern point guard compared to guys like Chris. He is a little bit of a dying breed. You hope that we’re still going to be able to produce some pass-first point guards because I think they just add so much to the game. But yeah, Chris has been at the top of his craft for a long time.”
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