Leading The Way

Chris Paul is the MVP of the NBA so far, no matter what anyone says. His play has led the Hornets to the best record in the Western Conference. Yes that’s right, the best in the West at 32-12, winning nine in a row, while averaging a margin of +20.7 points per game. That’s incredible.

They have beaten the Nuggets and Spurs by 24 points each, as well as the streaking Portland Trailblazers by 15. This team plays the best team basketball I have ever seen, getting everyone involved thanks to leading assist man, Chris Paul, who is averaging 10.7 a game, coming off a 17 assist performance last night. Another reason for the recent success has been the play of big men David West and Tyson Chandler. These two are both having career seasons, both averaging career highs in points and rebounds. West is averaging 19.5 points per game, along with 9.3 rebounds, while Chandler is averaging a big double double a game, with 12.4 points and 12.4 boards.

This team’s defense has also been spectacular during this win streak, hence why they are winning games by 20+ points a night. They are allowing just 88.2 points per game, while scoring 109.1. That is absolutely incredible. This team forces so many turnovers, mostly thanks to Chris Paul, who averages nearly three steals per contest, along with the intimidation of Tyson Chandler and David West inside, who combine for two blocks a night. If this young team can continue to play defense as well as they have been, and continue lighting up the scoreboards, they could be serious NBA Finals contenders.