Sippin' Haterade is our weekly anti-look at the league we love.Chris Paul is overrated. Not in a "he's really not that good of a player" kind of way, because he absolutely is that good, even if I'm not a fan. But anytime the guy does anything remotely above average, the NBA world stops to bow down and worship at his altar.
Exhibit A: that bounce through Jason Terry's legs that Paul pulled off on Thursday night.
I realize that there are only two games on Thursday nights due to TNT's exclusive deal, and that even though they always look good on paper, the games end up being blowouts. But does that mean that one relatively routine highlight has to get described as potentially the greatest play in the history of the NBA? Please. Someone get Tyson Chandler a Magic Johnson highlight reel, ASAP.
Watch the replay again (like we we haven't seen it 1,000 times already) and tell me that Steve Nash, Deron Williams, or even Jason Kidd (six years ago when he could still play) wouldn't have done the exact same thing in that situation. Terry is directly in front of Paul, legs spread as wide as [redacted]. If Paul wants to continue the fast break, bouncing the ball right through the defender's legs is the only option at that point. Otherwise, he has to run him over and pick up an offensive foul.
A nice play by one of the league's top point guards, sure. But that's all -- nothing more. And if a 37-year-old, seven-foot tall, 350-pound Shaquille O'Neal can do the exact same thing, sorry: the degree of difficulty just can't be that high.
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Carmelo Anthony presumably showed the world that all is well with his relationship with George Karl. That one-game suspension sure showed him! 'Melo not only willingly comes out of the game when asked now, but he runs full-speed the length of the court to do so -- what a good soldier! What a great teammate! There will be no more insubordination here!
Unless you consider showing up your head coach in a game that's being nationally televised insubordination, that is.
Come on, people. Does anyone really believe that 'Melo learned his lesson? He was clearly making light of the situation -- one which, by the way, he never even apologized for, either publicly or privately. And it's a lot easier to laugh off a suspension when you return to score 38 in a win than it is if you're having an off night and your coach yanks you again.
Let's see what happens the next time Denver is losing to a lottery team, Anthony's not playing well, and Karl gives him the hook. I seriously doubt we'll see 'Melo joyfully sprinting to the bench to abide by his coach's decision then.
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Amar'e Stoudemire, it was learned, will not be back for a potential Suns' playoff run, as it was hoped when the initial announcement of his eye surgery came down. This is sad news for Amar'e, especially with the team's turmoil this season which was (for a while) placed unjustly on his shoulders in the form of the team looking to deal him out of town for nothing close to equal value.
While this is an update that Stoudemire will require additional time for his eye to heal, it's not exactly relevant to this season, right? I mean, when the news of the injury first came out, did anyone really think the Suns were making the playoffs?
Come on, now. Suns' fans seem to be happy that their team is fun to watch again, but wins and losses apparently don't matter. As long as the team doesn't play a lick of defense, they're just not going to win many games. Phoenix allowed the Heat -- who average 97.5 points per game (good for just 21st in the league) -- to get 135. Seriously?
"But the Suns scored 129!" exclaim the team's fans. Great, glad you had fun watching. Enjoy the show -- and the losing.
The Suns weren't making the playoffs at the time Stoudemire's injury was first announced, and they're in no position to make the playoffs now.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wow Brett you must really not know basketball. What Shaq did was nothing close to what CP did. Shaq was in a defenselss All Star game and him and Howard were both standing still when he passed it through howard's legs, (also Howard is 7 feet tall which is a little easier to pass under then Jason Terry's 6'2 frame) while CP was going full speed on a fast break. IF you ever played ball you know thats A LOT harder to do then just standing there and throwing a ball under a 7 footer.
And while i agree we have seen it done many times before i think your taking it a bit far and acting like everyone is saying its the best player anyone has seen. One person said it and it happened to be a teammate of CP. Its one guy's opinion and hes got a right to it. Stop acting like the entire basketball world has stopped and are praying to CP because of this play.
So all in all this article was completely ridiculous and i have come to expect much better from you Mr. Pollakoff....
So, instead of saying that Chris Paul is overrated, shouldn't you just be saying that the one play is overrated? Just because you don't think that the play was as good as everyone thinks it is doesn't mean that Chris Paul isn't as good as everyone thinks he is.
Anyone that watches Spurs basketball knows that Manu Ginobilli has done this trick with regularity throughout his career and it is said that he once did it in a game while looking the other way and the ball passed behind his back.....ho hum.....of course you won't ever catch all the fantastic things he or Tony Parker do cause they hardly ever show their games on the Kobe/Labron network.
first six letters of your last name pretty much sums it up..
I agree with you Brett, it's about time someone besides myself has noticed this. Paul is not only over rated, he is one of the dirtiest players in the league that depends on the referees whistles to get him to the line. When he handles the ball, I go crazy yelling at the refs wondering what else he has to do to get a carrying or palming call against him. He always has that dumb look on his face like he is having a hard time taking a Chet.
if you think this guy is overrated then you are crazy.....call the crazy people cause you need help...one of the best talents in the nba and one of the reasons i watch....
finally someone says what I have been thinking about Chris Paul. Sure, he is a great player, but just the night before, Deron Williams has 26 points, 14 assists and 5 rebounds (almost the same numbers as Paul) and some great plays that would make highlight reels if the game was on national t.v. If Chris Paul dribbles the ball he gets press. I for one am tired of seeing his name everywhere on AOL - follow him around and do articles during All-star game, his charity bowling tournament, etc. I am sure he is a nice guy, but for goodness sake, he makes news if he has a hangnail. enough already....
say what you want about the man but his stats speak for themself
at least you know what your drinking
Hmm lets see Chris Paul has played in 8 more games this year then Deron Williams and he shoots a better percentage from the field, three point line, and free throw line then Williams while averaging more points, rebounds, assists,and steals then Williams and also less turnovers. But yeah Williams is just as good. Lol you people know nothing, CP is NOWHERE NEAR overrated. he is the 3rd best player in the league behind Kobe and Lebron and thats a fact . Cant even argue with it.....
Third best in the NBA so hes better than Wade? That makes him overrated.
So overall CP plays in more games because hes not injured often like Williams, CP averaged more points, rebounds, assists, and steals while shooting better from everywhere on the court and does it all turning the ball over less then Williams. God repeating it makes me see how stupid you people really sound....
First player IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE , the means no other player has ever done it to you slow people, to ever average over 20 points and 10 assists and lead the league in steals. Broke Oscar Robinsons record for most 30 point 10 assist games in a season within the first 15 games this year by doing it 7 time in the first 10 games. How is this guy overrated? Again he leads the league in assists and steals while still averaging 20 points and 5 rebounds. Listen to what your saying guys before you post it....
And did i mention hes doing it while only being 6 feet tall in a time when the average height in the league is somewhere around 6'6". I dont think a lot of you realize just how much actual SKILL , not just athleticism and size like most players , that takes. That is way most real knowledgable NBA GMs and scouts and older coaches rave about CP, they see how talented his skill level is in an era where that is sorely missing in the NBA....
Is he overrated, well, you cannot stop watching him when he has the ball. He has a level of creativity and arrogance which makes him just about the best show in the NBA to watch. If you like him, he's great, and if you root against him, he drives you crazy. You have to love the energy he brings whenever he plays, you have to enjoy the way his entire team is motivated to play better because of his game. Does he deserve accolades for one particular play, of course not. He does deserve them for how he has elevated his team. Byron Scott deserves accolades for the quality of coaching which allows a talent like this to flourish.
cantstopdrinkin, I could argue with you, you said the third best player in the league behind Kobe and Lebron, and I would put it to you, that each is a different kind of player. To ask which one you would rather have on your team, or which one you'd rather watch, sort of sums it up. Each one can break a game, but the question of who does it better, and who makes his teamates better? I think CP has the most ability to elevate other players. For that reason, if I was making a dream team, he would be my first pick, ahead of Kobe and Lebron.
Chris "Dont touch me or Ill jerk uncontrollably to get a foul call" Paul.
Sholo i couldnt agree more. I was sayin that so i wouldnt get jumped on because most people dont think he is better then Lebron and Kobe. I think Lebron and Kobe are better on the fact that they can score better because of their size but if you look at it in who is better for overall efficently its CP hands down and who is better overall skill wise its gotta be CP just for the fact that he does what he does at 6 feet tall in a time where the average height in the league is 6'6". In my opinion he is the best point guard in the history of the game and has a real chance of being in the top 5 of all time....
He's breaking a lot of Oscar Robinsons records and even the great Oscar was 6'6". But the main thing about CP that a lotta casual fans dont notice is that he has the ball almost ALL THE TIME and hardly ever turns it over. He averages the most assist and the most steals yet averages less turnovers then Lebron, Kobe, Deron Williams, and Wade. Its off the charts how efficent the guy is. And hes only 23!!!
u guys are fucking haters cp is the best bball player right now well point guard at least get off his nutz god