A new role model for Chris Paul?

[spectre]

NBA - Truehoop

I've watched almost every minute of New Orleans Hornets basketball this season, and I'm telling you this:

At the tender age of 25, Chris Paul is not what he once was.

Now, before you freak out, let's consider what he has been. He's already been an MVP runner-up, a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA first- and second-teamer, and (but for fans of Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, Steve Nash and now Derrick Rose) the league's best point guard since he came into the league.

This season he is among the league leaders in PER, double-doubles, steals, assists, free throw percentage, 3-point shooting and assist-to-turnover ratio. For most of the season, he has looked like a prime MVP candidate.

But the Hornets have won only three games in the past month, and I've started to worry about CP3. No, I'm not worried about his visit to New York on Wednesday and what it means for his future in New Orleans -- that's too distant a concern. Instead, I spend my time worrying about the meniscus tear he suffered in his left knee about 13 months ago, on Jan. 28, 2010.

The surgery was shortly thereafter. The rehab, it appears, will go on for the rest of his life.

Among the side effects, tragically: Paul has lost one of his best weapons, the explosive first step he once used to beat any player to any spot on the floor.

more at the link.

[BlockParty]

Nice find...goes to show we should be careful what we wish for. And yes, I'd still prefer CP3 (but not sure I'll have the same opinion when he's in the last 2 years of his contract).

[Chef]

i read this yesterday and would throw in this opinion. the premise of the article may very well turn out to be correct. paul had a pretty bad knee injury, much more than just a miniscus, but it takes at least 2 years to fully come back from knee injuries. if he looks the same at this time next year as he does this year, i think it is safer to say he lost his explosive step and his game will or has changed. with that said, paul without explosion is still leaps and bounds better than any pg we have had here.