As I looked through advanced metrics of all-time greats, Chris Paul’s name kept appearing. His metrics suggest that Paul is not just a Hall of Fame-caliber player, but perhaps the greatest point guard in NBA history.
EFFICIENCY:
Paul’s career efficiency ranks 6th all-time, behind Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Wilt Chamberlain. Paul is the leader among point guards – 6.3% more efficient than Magic Johnson.
Highest PER Among PGs
NBA History
PER
Chris Paul 25.6
Magic Johnson 24.1
Oscar Robertson 23.2
PASSING:
Paul’s assist percentage is really high because he’s a great passer. In his rookie year, he finished sixth in the NBA in assist percentage. He’s finished in the top-5 in each of the ensuing 9 seasons, leading the league 5 times. Paul’s teammates shoot an effective field goal percentage at a rate 6.2% higher with him on the court – for his career.
Highest Assist Pct
NBA History
Assist Pct
John Stockton 50.2%
Chris Paul 46.6%
Steve Nash 41.5%
LEADERSHIP:
With Paul at the helm, his teams have been juggernauts offensively. Paul has the highest offensive rating in NBA history (122.8). Paul’s teams have led the NBA in offensive rating in each of the past two seasons, and finished in the top-5 in each of the last four seasons.
Highest Offensive Rating
NBA History
Offensive Rating
Chris Paul 122.8
Reggie Miller 121.5
Magic Johnson 120.8
John Stockton 120.6
DEFENSE:
Paul has led the NBA in steals per game in 6 of his 10 NBA seasons. He has the highest steals percentage of any active player and has ranked in the top-10 in each season in the league. His career steals percentage ranks 8th in NBA history. Paul has made 7 straight NBA All-Defensive teams.
WIN SHARES:
While in the postseason Paul has yet to lead a team to an NBA title, or even the Finals, his numbers in the regular season are staggering. Win shares is a cumulative way to gauge his impact on a team’s wins, but most of Paul’s peers played far more than 10 seasons.
The only point guard with more win shares in his first 10 seasons is Oscar Robertson.
To compare careers, we look at win shares per 48 minutes, which helps account for discrepancies in seasons and minutes.
Most Win Shares/48 Minutes
NBA History
WS/48 Min
Michael Jordan .2505
David Robinson .2502
Chris Paul .2491
Wilt Chamberlain .2480
Yes he has never been to the western conference finals but all the other great pgs played with even better greats. Magic had Kareem Stockton had Malone etc etc. Thier is not 1 pg u can name who is better who wasn’t surrounded by better talent. The one time he could’ve played with a player his calibar the NBA blocked the trade says a lot of his talent level there!
Qualifier for my comment is I’m all for advanced metrics and I”m a huge Chris Paul fan. I think he’s been the best point guard in the league for at least the last 5 years. All of what you outlined puts what you see on the floor into perspective. But to even suggest he’s the best PG is a reach. Not only does have not have a ring, but he’s never lead his team to a conference finals or the finals. Winning a ring isn’t the end all be all for all-time greats for me any longer because a lot of factors play into a player (and team) reaching that level. However, to have never sniffed that level should play a factor in determining someones order in the greatness category.