Day 3 of the 2013-14 NBA regular season featured two games between second-tier title contenders in each respective conference. The Chicago Bulls survived the New York Knicks by a score of 82-81 in the East, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-115 in a high-scoring affair that saw Chris Paul score 42 points and Stephen Curry drop 38.
If you’re looking for impressive numbers, search no further than CP3’s legendary performance.
Chris Paul’s Big Day
If you’re even remotely familiar with the NBA, you know that Paul is one of the best players of his generation. From his six All-Star Game appearances to his two seasons leading the league in assists to his five years leading the NBA in steals, CP3 has carved out a career as a future Hall of Famer.
Just two games into the 2013-14 season, Paul became the first player in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 15 assists and five steals in a single game. Steals were first recorded in 1973-74.
Paul torched Golden State for 42 points, 15 assists and six steals. In turn, he became the eighth player since 1985-86 to pick up at least 40 points and 15 assists.
The others were Clyde Drexler, Tim Hardaway, Allen Iverson, LeBron James (twice) and Kevin Johnson.
This marks the 13th time that Paul has produced at least 25 points, 10 assists and five steals in one game. Since Paul was drafted in 2005, no other player has achieved that feat more than six times—less than half as many as CP3.
The player to do it six times was the recently retired Iverson.
Paul has now put up at least 25 points and 10 assists in 66 games and at least 30 and 10 in 26. In 2012-13, however, Paul saw his scoring prowess take a back seat as he looked to facilitate before he shot. Under Doc Rivers’ guidance, it appears as if Paul is prepared to be a more aggressive player on both ends of the floor.
That’s bad news for the rest of the NBA.
Additional Notes
- The Knicks are 1-9 against the Bulls since acquiring Carmelo Anthony.
- Derrick Rose is 11-of-38 through two games back, but hit his first game-winner of the season just two games in.
- During the season-opener, Klay Thompson of the Warriors finished with 38 points and Curry scored 10. During Golden State’s second game, Curry tallied 38 and Thompson scored 10.
- Blake Griffin finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. It was the 91st time in 230 games played that Griffin has posted at least 20 points and 10 boards.
- Andre Iguodala finished with 14 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and two steals. This comes after he went off for at least 10 assists in just four games during the 2012-13 season.
- After going off for 17 points and 11 rebounds in his first game of the season, DeAndre Jordan had nine points and 17 rebounds in his second game.