In 2014, Chris Paul starred in a State Farm commercial with Stephen Curry. The commercial starts with Paul teaching the next generation and ends with Paul looking at Curry as he goes down the escalator and Curry goes up. It is an easy metaphor for their career trajectories as Curry won 4 NBA Championships and Paul lost in the 2021 NBA Finals. Paul’s woes continues as he has been relegated to a bench role and was ejected against the Indiana Pacers for calling referee, Tony Brothers, a “Tik Toker” and saying [Tony] “has too much power.”
Chris Paul
Paul’s legacy is cemented. John Stockton still holds the All-Time Assists Record with 15,806. Paul is third with 11,812. Jason Kidd is second with 12,091. Paul is unlikely to catch Stockton. Even if Paul surpasses Kidd for 2nd All-Time and wins a championship this year, Paul may still not be better than Kidd. Unlike Paul, Kidd started for the Dallas Mavericks when they won the 2011 NBA Championship. In the realm of point guards, Paul is somewhere behind Magic Johnson, Curry, Isaiah Thomas, Walt Frazier, Oscar Robertson, and Stockton.
Steph Curry
Curry’s Kingdom has been built with 2 MVPs and 4 rings. He is the Greatest Shooter in NBA history. In 2022, he received the last jewel of his crown winning the Finals MVP. Curry can only add riches. Yet, over time, the greatest kingdoms always fall.
Tyrese Haliburton
The Warriors’ dynasty is falling. The changing of guards is on display as Tyrese Haliburton is leading the Indiana Pacers with 20.3 points, 11.0 assists, and 1.2 steals. The Pacers are a 6th seed fighting to stay out of the Play-In Tournament. The Pacers are 1 game ahead of the Miami Heat for the 6th spot. On the other hand, Curry is averaging 26.5 points, 5 assists, and 0.7 steals. Curry is fighting to keep the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In Tournament. Warriors are 1 game ahead of the Houston Rockets for the 10th spot.
Last week, Haliburton’s athleticism clearly disrupted Curry blocking two 3 pointers. One on the left side with 5:51 remaining in the 3rd Quarter and a second block with on the right side with 4:58 in the 4th Quarter. Haliburton’s defense distinguishes himself from his elder predecessors in Curry and Paul who were always targets on defense.
In Year 4, Haliburton is on the Paul-Curry track with an added defensive identity of his own.
Chris Paul in Year 4
- Points 22.8
- Rebounds 5.5
- Assists 11.0
- FG% 50.3%
- 3 PT FG% 36.4%
Stephen Curry in Year 4
- Points 22.9
- Rebounds 4.0
- Assists 6.9
- FG% 45.1%
- 3 PT FG% 45.3%
Tyrese Haliburton in Year 4
- Points 20.5
- Rebounds 3.9
- Assists 11.2
- FG% 47.9%
- 3 PT FG% 36.2%
By Year 4, Paul, Curry, and Haliburton have comparable statistics. Will there be a new commercial with Haliburton’s Reign rising and Curry’s Empire falling?
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