Personal views aside - Do you think Chris Paul is tanking his season on purpose?

[BRHornet45]

sons this is meant to be a serious post. I know that most people on this board hate Paul and vote against him in any polls just out of spite, but please put your personal views aside and answer the question honestly. Do you think that Chris Paul is tanking his season / not giving 100% on purpose because he wants to be traded?

Since about the 2nd week of the season I started noticing something different about Chris Paul this year. Everything at that time was all good because the Hornets started undefeated, but with the exception of a couple of games Paul had only minor roles in any of the team's success. Some are using his injury excuse, but I think it is quite obvious that he wants out and is half ass playing. He doesn't play aggressive hardly at all with the exception of only a few moments every other game or so and he looks bored out of his mind just going through all of the motions.
Paul says that he "only wants to win", and the Hornets are doing just that with a 26-16 record right now and clearly a legit playoff team ... yet Paul has truly had very little to do with it. Now of course he has had something to do with the Hornets 26 wins so far, but shouldn't a player of his caliber and hype who has been mentioned in the same sentence as guys like Lebron, Wade, Durant, etc. have more to do with it than he has? If you have watched the Hornets all season (not just whenever they play YOUR team) then you will know what I am talking about. David West has clearly been the leader of this team creating his own shots and leading the scoring, with Emeka Okafor doing a hell of a job under the basket, and other guys like Thornton and Bellineli stepping up on occasions to fill in that 3rd option.

Now for those of you who don't agree with me, here are some facts ...

-He has taken about 160 LESS shot attempts at this point in the season than he did last season.

- He is averaging the lowest amount of shot attempts per game this season than he has his entire career

- He is currently on pace to average the lowest amount of points per game AND rebounds per game this season in his entire career.

- He is currently on pace to dish out the lowest amount of ASSIST since 2006.

[usdane]

Interesting situation. If CP3 demanded a trade who would the NBA trade him to?

[fevertrees]

The 11-1 start screwed Paul over because he knew he couldn't use "my team sucks" as an excuse for a trade....

[redzero]

I don't know if he is trying to tank, but he has definitely lost his killer instinct. He is pretty damn good at 3's now, and he barely takes them. He used to take the first quarter to get the team's offense flowing, and then shoot more in the last three, but now he just isn't looking to shoot much anymore. He also rarely wants to take big shots anymore. They almost always go to West or a wing. Tonight, half his shots didn't even get above the rim. I don't know what is up, because his midrange jumper used to be automatic.

It's kind of sad when Jarrett Jack has been playing better over the past few games than the supposed franchise point guard.

[BRHornet45]

well maybe I shouldn't say "tank" ... but it is pretty obvious that he isn't giving 100%. of course I would love for him to stay long term, but not if this is the type of effort he is going to give.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Chris Paul deserves better. Simple as that

[fevertrees]

Chris Paul deserves better. Simple as that

lol Hornets are only a game behind Dallas now...

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

lol Hornets are only a game behind Dallas now...

I shutter everytime I think about playing them Hornets

[redzero]

Chris Paul deserves better. Simple as that

Than what? This team would have several more wins this season if Paul actually tried to take over games like he used to.

Against the Knicks, he let Ariza take 21 shots instead of trying to score himself. Against the Thunder, he let Westbrook go off, while he just passed on every single possession in the final five minutes. Against the Clippers, he did the same thing--which is especially inexcusable on the possession that he had Blake Griffin on him.

The only way to guarantee that Paul mans up is by blowing the Hornets out by 20+. Then he will start doing shit he hasn't done all season.

[BRHornet45]

Chris Paul deserves better. Simple as that

son why does he "deserve" better? ... the Hornets have put playoff teams on the floor since 2007. the only reason they didn't make the playoffs last season is mainly due to Paul constantly getting hurt.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Paul will step his game up when it's needed.

But I certainly don't think he has been "tanking"

[BRHornet45]

Than what? This team would have several more wins this season if Paul actually tried to take over games like he used to.

Against the Knicks, he let Ariza take 21 shots instead of trying to score himself. Against the Thunder, he let Westbrook go off, while he just passed on every single possession in the final five minutes. Against the Clippers, he did the same thing--which is especially inexcusable on the possession that he had Blake Griffin on him.

The only way to guarantee that Paul mans up is by blowing the Hornets out by 20+. Then he will start doing shit he hasn't done all season.

well said ... there are 4 games in particular this season that Paul pretty much single handedly lost. the main one that sticks out the most and is arguably the most embarrassing moment in Paul's career was the Clipper loss early in the season. I'll never forget watching Paul differ the ball the way he did in that game during crucial moments. Most notably whenever there was about a minute left in the game and he had a one on one mismatch with Griffin at the top of the key ... Paul crossed Griffin over two or three times breaking his ankles that gave him at least two great shot opportunities, only to pass them up and differ the ball to a guarded Ariza with 1 second left on the shot clock.

[BRHornet45]

Paul will step his game up when it's needed.

But I certainly don't think he has been "tanking"

son he isn't giving 100% and he should be ashamed of himself. guaranteed contracts are the worst thing to ever happen to the NBA ...

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

guaranteed contracts are the worst thing to ever happen to the league

Trust me I feel you

[TE]

Trust me I feel you

You would feel him



On a serious note, CP3 looks disinterested, and you know what that means for his present team.

[BRHornet45]

You would feel him



On a serious note, CP3 looks disinterested, and you know what that means for his present team.

the funny thing is that even with Paul playing arguably the worst he ever has in his career, the Hornets are still a good team. at this point you could take Paul out and put nearly any other starting PG in the NBA into his role and maybe give or take a couple of wins, the Hornets would still be in the area of 26-16.

[jjktkk]

It seems that Paul might be deferring to Ariza, and others to try and build their confidence up, knowing he can get his pretty much whenever he wants too. Its hard for a pg to balance scoring and getting the rest of their teammates involved.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

You would feel him



On a serious note, CP3 looks disinterested, and you know what that means for his present team.

Step up your forum game lil nigga. Weak

[Brutalis]

CP is as arrogant as Kobe and personally I'm glad his shit stinks this year.

[TE]

Step up your forum game lil nigga. Weak

:lol

I successfully triggered a butthurt response from you
:toast

The house is on me

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

When is Paul a free agent again?

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

:lol

I successfully triggered a butthurt response from you
:toast

The house is on me

Whatever you need little nigga to step up your game:lol

[BRHornet45]

It seems that Paul might be deferring to Ariza, and others to try and build their confidence up, knowing he can get his pretty much whenever he wants too. Its hard for a pg to balance scoring and getting the rest of their teammates involved.

you bring up a good point, but in this particular case I don't think that is true whatsoever. Paul has always differed the ball, that is what points guard should do ... but up until this season he has had absolutely no problem at all balancing his scoring and getting others involved. the problem is Paul's lack of effort and aggressiveness.

[BRHornet45]

Paul has one more season before he can opt out. the best thing for the Hornets to do is trade him at the end of the year unless some miracle happens.

[redzero]

It seems that Paul might be deferring to Ariza, and others to try and build their confidence up, knowing he can get his pretty much whenever he wants too. Its hard for a pg to balance scoring and getting the rest of their teammates involved.

If only. Paul used to be able to get his whenever he wanted to. He used to be able to balance scoring and passing, but he hasn't anymore.

[jjktkk]

Paul has one more season before he can opt out. the best thing for the Hornets to do is trade him at the end of the year unless some miracle happens.

You need a new owner. Why would you blow up the Hornets? You got two all stars, a nice group of perimter players and you could do worse than Okafer at the 5. Shore up the front line depth and tighten up the D, and N.O. is right back in the thick of things.

[Pelicans78]

He's not tanking at all.

First of all. He doesn't appear to have his strength back in his knee. He can't shoot over defenders and cannot get enough strength to shoot off the dribble like before.

I do think he is pacing himself. Maybe not for another team like Zack Greinke did last season, but maybe for the 2nd half of the year or the playoffs.

He really can't take over a game offensively right now. He doesn't have the explosiveness to do it. That's why he's relying on West.

[LeHeat_Dynasty]

He's not giving the Hornets 100% and I don't blame him. Who would want to stay in that franchise and throw lobs at Emeka Okafor or dish to David West, when he can go to a stable market in NY, get his exposure and play under D'Antoni's offense and throw oops to Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthnoy.

No brainer.

[buttsR4rebounding]

"Personal views aside" take this poll...what is a response to a poll other than a personal view? Thanks, Yogi!:lol

[bus driver]

no, he has always sucked

[ElNono]

It's the injury :cry :cry :cry

[Mel_13]

1st-win shares
1st-win shares/48
2nd-defensive win shares
2nd-offensive win shares
10th- defensive rating
2nd- offensive rating
1st-steal %
3rd-assist %
13th- true shooting %
3rd- PER
1st- steals per game
3rd- assists per game
1st- steals
1st- assists
6th- FT %
7th- 3pt %
15th- minutes played

Finally look at the team's record this year compared to last year. That's some stealth tanking.

[Darth_Pelican]

He's not tanking at all.

First of all. He doesn't appear to have his strength back in his knee. He can't shoot over defenders and cannot get enough strength to shoot off the dribble like before.

I do think he is pacing himself. Maybe not for another team like Zack Greinke did last season, but maybe for the 2nd half of the year or the playoffs.

He really can't take over a game offensively right now. He doesn't have the explosiveness to do it. That's why he's relying on West.

That is the optimist's point of view and hopefully is the case.

I do think when Chris Paul met with Monty Williams and management before the season (the one which he came out of saying "i don't want to be traded, I love New Orleans"), they came up with a plan to keep his minutes down as he is definitely not fully healthy yet.

But there is no doubt that sometimes he just looks bored and uninterested in the game.

I think it's too early to say he is tanking on purpose. Let's see what he does down the stretch and in the playoffs.

[Koolaid_Man]

sons this is meant to be a serious post. I know that most people on this board hate Paul and vote against him in any polls just out of spite, but please put your personal views aside and answer the question honestly. Do you think that Chris Paul is tanking his season / not giving 100% on purpose because he wants to be traded?

Since about the 2nd week of the season I started noticing something different about Chris Paul this year. Everything at that time was all good because the Hornets started undefeated, but with the exception of a couple of games Paul had only minor roles in any of the team's success. Some are using his injury excuse, but I think it is quite obvious that he wants out and is half ass playing. He doesn't play aggressive hardly at all with the exception of only a few moments every other game or so and he looks bored out of his mind just going through all of the motions.
Paul says that he "only wants to win", and the Hornets are doing just that with a 26-16 record right now and clearly a legit playoff team ... yet Paul has truly had very little to do with it. Now of course he has had something to do with the Hornets 26 wins so far, but shouldn't a player of his caliber and hype who has been mentioned in the same sentence as guys like Lebron, Wade, Durant, etc. have more to do with it than he has? If you have watched the Hornets all season (not just whenever they play YOUR team) then you will know what I am talking about. David West has clearly been the leader of this team creating his own shots and leading the scoring, with Emeka Okafor doing a hell of a job under the basket, and other guys like Thornton and Bellineli stepping up on occasions to fill in that 3rd option.

Now for those of you who don't agree with me, here are some facts ...

-He has taken about 160 LESS shot attempts at this point in the season than he did last season.

- He is averaging the lowest amount of shot attempts per game this season than he has his entire career

- He is currently on pace to average the lowest amount of points per game AND rebounds per game this season in his entire career.

- He is currently on pace to dish out the lowest amount of ASSIST since 2006.


yes he is...now have you given more thought to that Laker Fan contract I asked you to sign. The sky is falling in Nawlings Dawg...I'm offering you the opportunity of a life-time to join with us...Now I won't extend my hand or my Olive Branch forever so I advise you make a decision soon...

Remember there's nothing else out there for you son...Real Talk

[ElNono]

1st-win shares
1st-win shares/48
2nd-defensive win shares
2nd-offensive win shares
10th- defensive rating
2nd- offensive rating
1st-steal %
3rd-assist %
13th- true shooting %
3rd- PER
1st- steals per game
3rd- assists per game
1st- steals
1st- assists
6th- FT %
7th- 3pt %
15th- minutes played

Finally look at the team's record this year compared to last year. That's some stealth tanking.

You forgot:
1st - passing up shots in the 4th quarter

[ButtHurt Committee]

Paul is following the leadership of his friend James. You know he has more fire than he's displayed thus far. I don't blame him for wanting to leave, but he shouldn't cheat the fans with his sub-par play.

[DPG21920]

Would you get hyped to play in front of the worst fanbase in all of pro sports?

[ButtHurt Committee]

Would you get hyped to play in front of the worst fanbase in all of pro sports?

Dirk does. Even still, that town needs more than Paul to attract a strong following.

[Mel_13]

You forgot:
1st - passing up shots in the 4th quarter

.619 team winning percentage. How'd they do last year without him?

[Mel_13]

2009-10 w/o Paul:

14-23 .378 winning percentage.

[DPG21920]

Dirk does. Even still, that town needs more than Paul to attract a strong following.

Mavfans are always at the games. They may be bandwagon and care about the cowboys more, but both arenas are usually pretty full.

Nothing the Hornets do will be enough. Nothing.

[DMC]

Chris Paul will end up either in LA, Miami or NY.

[ElNono]

.619 team winning percentage. How'd they do last year without him?

Still passing up shots in the 4th quarter...

[Mel_13]

Still passing up shots in the 4th quarter...

Still winning....

[ElNono]

Still winning....

Despite Paul passing up shots in the 4th...

[Mel_13]

Despite Paul passing up shots in the 4th...

:yield

[ElNono]

:lol

[Killakobe81]

I doubt Paul is 100% Been saying that since the hornets were streaking to start the season ... Paul used to just dominate. He still gets his steals, drops dimes with a low number of TO's and shoots a high % but so does Jose Calderon (without the steals)

Paul was the top PG or at least top 2 3 seasons ago ... Now? Some have him barely third ... some have him out the top 5 ...

[Killakobe81]

1st-win shares
1st-win shares/48
2nd-defensive win shares
2nd-offensive win shares
10th- defensive rating
2nd- offensive rating
1st-steal %
3rd-assist %
13th- true shooting %
3rd- PER
1st- steals per game
3rd- assists per game
1st- steals
1st- assists
6th- FT %
7th- 3pt %
15th- minutes played

Finally look at the team's record this year compared to last year. That's some stealth tanking.

putting up these stats is a direct indictment of advance metrics. Even hornets fans no these numbers ring hollow. I do think he is still effective and the numbers bear that out ESPECIALLY win% ... but Paul is no wera near the top at anything except steals if you avctually watch the games ...

[Mel_13]

putting up these stats is a direct indictment of advance metrics. Even hornets fans no these bumbers ring hollow. I do think he is still effective and the numbers bear that out ESPECIALLY win% ... but Paul is no wera near the top at anything except steals if you avctually watch the games ...

I wasn't trying to make a case for MVP, just that he's not tanking.

[Killakobe81]

Let me say this if Paul was a rookie or never had the season he had 3 years ago ...hornets fans would be singing his praises ...problem is he is still being compared to what he USED to be ...rather than what he is today.

Paul despite shrinking in the 4th is playing better and putting up better numbers than fisher, kidd, andre miller and MOST of the playoff contending PG's in the west ...

[djohn2oo8]

I think Paul and Melo have conspired just like Wade Bosh and Bron

[Mel_13]

Let me say this if Paul was a rookie or never had the season he had 3 years ago ...hornets fans would be singing his praises ...problem is he is still being compared to what he USED to be ...rather than what he is today.

Paul despite shrinking in the 4th is playing better and putting up better numbers than fisher, kidd, andre miller and MOST of the playoff contending PG's in the west ...

Plus he's started every single game and leads his team in minutes played. I don't believe he's fully recovered from his injury (he may never be) and that his physical condition accounts for his decreased performance level relative to 08-09 and earlier.

[Pelicans78]

CP3 is dominating games like he used to, but he's not losing games either. He's still the best ball-handling, passing, stealing and set-shooting PG in the league right now. He's not as explosive as Westbrook or especially Rose and can't put up 30 pts like before, but he does everything else better than any other PG in the league. He's easily top 5. Is he better than Rose or Williams? Hard to say he is. At worst he's tied with Westbrook at number 3.

[jestersmash]

CP3 is dominating games like he used to, but he's not losing games either. He's still the best ball-handling, passing, stealing and set-shooting PG in the league right now. He's not as explosive as Westbrook or especially Rose and can't put up 30 pts like before, but he does everything else better than any other PG in the league. He's easily top 5. Is he better than Rose or Williams? Hard to say he is. At worst he's tied with Westbrook at number 3.

This.

For all the Chris Paul hate, the guy is leading all PGs in the league in PER. Subjectively/qualitatively, I agree he doesn't appear to be trying as much as he could, and I wouldn't actually rank him as the best PG in the league because I recognize that PER doesn't take into account many "subjective" but important qualities like willingness to take clutch shots when your team needs it.

[rayjayjohnson]

he might be highest in PER, but rose, rondo, williams and westbrick are all better. case closed.

[rayjayjohnson]

CP3 is dominating games like he used to, but he's not losing games either. He's still the best ball-handling, passing, stealing and set-shooting PG in the league right now. He's not as explosive as Westbrook or especially Rose and can't put up 30 pts like before, but he does everything else better than any other PG in the league. He's easily top 5. Is he better than Rose or Williams? Hard to say he is. At worst he's tied with Westbrook at number 3.

how does he pass better than rondo?

[Darth_Pelican]

how does he pass better than rondo?

Because if he had KG, Pierce, and Allen to pass to every night, he would shatter the single season assist record.

[Pelicans78]

he might be highest in PER, but rose, rondo, williams and westbrick are all better. case closed.

LOL Rondo! CP3 does everything Rondo does and shoots way better. :lol

[Pelicans78]

how does he pass better than rondo?

He just does. Rondo has more parts around him to get assists. CP3's clearly better.