Chris Paul: Most Improved Player
Either Ride With Me Or Collide With Me
By Khalid Salaam
It’s mid-season and every expert and so-called expert opine on why so and so should win this award or why so and so shouldn’t. Same thing every year. And as much as we all say that the system is broken we all accept the craziness for what it is. We hate the voting process for the All-Star Game, we scratch our heads at last year’s award winners etc but we participate in our own frustration by never challenging the status quo. Well no more of that.
Here’s something to chew on. Right now Hornets guard Chris Paul is a MVP candidate…and a Most Improved Player candidate. Actually it’s a blowout if you really want to know how I feel. I’m obviously aware of him winning the Rookie of the Year award 2 seasons ago and his numbers last year are more than impressive (17, 9, 4 and 2 steals). And the number increase for this season isn’t off the walls great (20, 11 and 4 and 2 steals). He did increase his FG% from 43 percent to 48 percent this year so for you out there who care, that’s something you can respect. A five point difference in that category is huge but you know how I do. Damn numbers. I’m about results and reality. The Hornets are leading the West in wins and without a great roster.
David West is a serviceable forward, good but without the ability to be truly great on his own. Peja, when healthy is the owner of one of the best j’s in the game. But he cannot create his own shot to save his life. Tyson Chandler is an athletic prodigy, lately he’s been on some Shawn Kemp sh*t. Just grabbing balls out the sky and ramming them home on any monkey-ass defender standing below. But he has no post game. None. Bobby Jackson is still effective at times but he’s 47 years old, Ryan Bowen is Ryan Bowen, Rasual Butler is a decent scorer but doesn’t bring much else to the table. Mo Pete is probably their most versatile player but still does this look like the roster of a team that on January 30th should have a record of 32-12?
I’ve been watching the Hornets play a lot lately and CP’s influence on the game is so literal that it demands an entire column of its own (next month maybe). The cliché of making other players better isn’t a cliché when you do exactly that. He see’s the deficiencies in his teammates and shrugs his shoulders and moves forward. You don’t have accomplished footwork in the post? So what I’ll just lob the ball to you where all you have to do is sky over the next man to score. You can’t dribble on the wing if someone is crowding you even a little bit? Fine, I’ll just dribble penetrate until your man is forced to cheat off and I’ll fire a laser pass to you at the perfect exact in-stride moment you need it to get your shot off in the best way. This is how they play. Coach Byron Scott has everyone motivated and CP3 rewards that by getting them the ball when they want it. Really when they need it. To me making the jump from a good player to great is a superior accomplishment compared to making the transition from just ok to good. CP is a top 10 player right now and arguably the best pg in the L. Every night you have to accept that he’s gonna get his numbers and make sure everyone does too. He’s consistently consistent with his. Everyone calms down and pays attention to getting to their spot on the floor when he has the ball. It is really a sight to see. He dominates players with his intelligence and then when need be, explodes past dudes on drives to the hole. On defense he can hold his own and gets the absolute most out of his 175 pounds. Now I’m not saying that they aren’t gonna struggle at some point. The law of averages says this roster can’t keep playing .700 ball but their dominance in that conference (23-8 vs. the West) and in that division (6-2 in a division that includes Dallas and S.A) is something to respect. The best player on the most improved team (Boston doesn’t count for obvious reasons) is the most improved player. Accept it.
82 Responses to “Chris Paul: Most Improved Player”
Jan.30 at 2:21 pm
Bryan says:
Makes sense, but obviously he won’t win.
Jan.30 at 2:24 pm
white hot eboy says:
I think Bynum had the award on lock before he got hurt. And is CP3 really improved or just really playing out of his fuc*ing mind?
Jan.30 at 2:33 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
With Bynum’s injury it’s irrelevant now but yeah CP is playing at a higher level. Every game.
Jan.30 at 2:33 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Rondo, Turkoglu or Li’l Dun. CP3 better get MVP consideration, though, especially if the Hornets can hold on and win the West (um, easier said than done).
Jan.30 at 2:49 pm
TADOne says:
Thanks for this Khalid.
Jan.30 at 3:05 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
Over Kama, I don’t think so.
Jan.30 at 3:05 pm
BETCATS says:
john salmons
Jan.30 at 3:07 pm
Dirtybird says:
I think ROYs are supposed to improve anyway, the MIP’s usually come out of nowhere to get get numbers.
Jan.30 at 3:07 pm
Captain America says:
CP3 = MVP
Jan.30 at 3:08 pm
phunkykarma says:
I honestly think Chris Paul deserves a real nick-name, not just CP3, which is just made with his name. The other AKA should be related to his personnality or his game, not his name (like the Round Mount of Rebound, the Logo…)
Jan.30 at 3:10 pm
Captain America says:
Khalid, no mention of NBA West Player of the Week, Big Al Jefferson?
Jan.30 at 3:10 pm
Slick Nick Da Ruler says:
Danny Granger
Jan.30 at 3:14 pm
Co Co says:
Khalid unfortunately voters and everyone else thinks the MIP should go to a player who wasn’t already good. You’ll see the longer this post goes on.
Jan.30 at 3:16 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
why would i mention him? the t wolves suck.
Jan.30 at 3:16 pm
Jukai says:
can MVP candidates be most improved candidates? I think he’s just TOO GOOD to be in the “Most Improved Player” talk.
Jan.30 at 3:25 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Jukai you’ve been conditioned to think that. what i’m saying is break out of that mentality and decide for yourself
Jan.30 at 3:29 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Hidayet Turkoglu.
Jan.30 at 3:33 pm
Co Co says:
Face it Khalid, he won’t win MIP because of what I said earlier and he won’t win MVP beacause KG is going to get that. He’ll have to settle for being an All Star.
Jan.30 at 3:40 pm
Captain America says:
Khalid, Wolves lose by 1 point to Celtics at their home, Celtics suck too or do you?
Jan.30 at 3:42 pm
TADOne says:
Honestly, I think Paul could care less about individual awards. The man looks truly content winning and getting his team into playoff contention. I seriously need to see him play live.
Jan.30 at 3:45 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
Kaman or Gay, no questions asked.
Jan.30 at 3:47 pm
Rucious says:
I hope he wins all type of awards. He is from my hometown, Winston-Salem, and I pull for him and Josh Howard and am glad to see them doing really well. I think he is the best pg in the NBA, and I think all things considered, it is very obvious. Thanks, Khalid, get that boy some press. Josh too, lets get off Dirk’s diggler.
Jan.30 at 3:52 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’m not familiar with the author of this post. Is Mr. Salaam a new addition to slamonline? If so, welcome!
Jan.30 at 3:57 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
CP should win every award… I’ve been a fan on him since his story on E**N (don’t wanna get moderated) his Sr. year of H.S. made me teary (you know, where he scored 61 points in honor of his murdered grandfather). We (the Raps) beat N.O. a while back because he missed a couple freebies, but other than that, he’s a serious player
Jan.30 at 3:57 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
cap, relax with the juvenile ish. You know damn well that the twolves suck. The NBA season is 82 games long and at some point a good team gets beat by a team they shoudn’t lose too. Anybody who knows anything about the L knows this…. and ryne, doesn’t it hurt both kaman and gay that with all their great improving, it doesn’t translate into anything tangible? If you would have said Brandon Roy then we could have discussed it….. CoCo, i i feel you…..russ i could listen to a hedo argument but i still say paul make a bigger jump. hedo never sucked, he’s just better now. paul is prob the best at his position. Who said that last year? Nobody
Jan.30 at 3:58 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kaman’s got a case (although the Clippers suck), but I don’t think Gay should be in the mix. He’s a second-year guy playing 10 more minutes a night. He SHOULD be much improved. Honestly, I think second-year dudes should be out of the mix entirely when it comes to MIP.
Jan.30 at 4:22 pm
Captain America says:
Khalid, speaking of juv…u. This is for MIP most improved player, not MIT most improved team. Man-up, show some stats to support your ill-advised hunches.
Jan.30 at 4:23 pm
Captain America says:
Oh, I am colluding with you. Love it
Jan.30 at 4:26 pm
Toro says:
CP3 should be MVP, not MIP. He’s doing what Nash does in Phoenix but with a lesser cast, like Khalid pointed out in his post.
Jan.30 at 4:28 pm
white hot eboy says:
Khalid, Captain is a straight jerkoff, so don’t get too bothered over him.
Jan.30 at 4:32 pm
tike says:
Chris Paul is putting up big numbers what i dont get is every seems to be surprised by it now like hes hot right now we’ll see how the season goes b4 we start Crowning the guy MVP….
Jan.30 at 4:32 pm
d.Y. says:
Paul gets all NBA first team. No MIP, no MVP. Not that he doesn’t deserve both, but they play in a poorly attended arena and are never on tv. I bet the average casual cat still thinks the hornets are in Charlotte (sorry BETs).
Jan.30 at 4:32 pm
Myles Brown says:
Al Jefferson…
Jan.30 at 4:33 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
The stats are there man but if you choose to ignore them that’s cool. I don’t get baited into faux arguments with dudes who name themselves after the corniest of superheroes.
Jan.30 at 4:33 pm
Myles Brown says:
Or Bynum.
Jan.30 at 4:34 pm
white hot eboy says:
Yeah Captain, Iron Man is taking over in 2008! Recognize!
Jan.30 at 4:42 pm
Tom says:
Paul is an MVP candidate no doubt, I put him over KG because everyone expected this from this celt’s maybe not this quickly, but it was still expected…….Nobody saw this coming from the Hornets.
Jan.30 at 4:42 pm
d.Y. says:
Mr. Salaam, Aquaman would like a word with you…
Jan.30 at 4:43 pm
white hot eboy says:
Vinnie Chase is the only Aquaman that matters.
Jan.30 at 4:51 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Aquaman isn’t that terrible. In theory he could command a school of great white sharks, a blue whale and poisonous stingrays to attack a navy crusier. That would be nuts…okay back to basketball. myles, al jefferson is hurt by his teams crappy record. they are terrible.
Jan.30 at 4:52 pm
Myles Brown says:
The Hornets were a team that couldve been a surprise last year, were it not for injuries. I just dont think that his teams surge should qualify him for being the most improved player when his role within the team nor his production have made a significant leap. Guys are just healthier than they were before. Whereas Bynums development is obviously directly responsible for his teams early success and if hes able to return to bolster their playoff positioning it should only solidify his case. Als team may not be winning, but hes taken on a significantly different role than he had last year, and is proving to be a real force in the lig. I think guys whove actually made real changes in their roles and production should be considered more than CP3.
Jan.30 at 4:52 pm
Toney Blare says:
Good argument, Khalid. The biggest difference I’ve seen (and he was hurt for a big part of last year, which I think skews the argument) is the way he controls the game. Last year he was ill, but he didn’t create as many mismatches, wasn’t as mean or quick to exploit weaknesses, but this year when you watch a 1st half, he’ll orchestrate, let west and peja get theirs, then push it in the 3rd, and then in the 4th he takes over with assists and scoring. He’s the kind of dude where, if the other team’s best guy does something sick, CP3 will come back extra hard the very next possession to kill any momentum. Plus, he may be 175 but you rarely see him pushed around, cause he’s deceptively strong, and a dope defender. MIP is a weird award to me, but MVP–the record and the other guys’ numbers and attitdue speak for themselves.
Jan.30 at 4:55 pm
jbn74sb says:
Bynum before the injury.
Kaman.
CP was too good to begin with.
Jan.30 at 5:01 pm
d.Y. says:
Nice Aquaman theories. One reason I’d rather not see Paul as MIP is because he’s overqualified. The MIP is like the intercontinental title belt, it’s for middle of the pack cats who have shown they belong in the upper tier. That’s how it’s been awarded historically (I can’t remember any MIPs off my head now, so I’m sure someone’s gonna post how Jordan got it 4 years in a row after he turned 29 or something). CP hasn’t been in the middle of the pack since draft day.
Jan.30 at 5:03 pm
davidR says:
khalid, i would make a case for kaman and lil dun, but its hard to argue against being on a losing team. it sucks though, cause i have yet to see paul play a game thanks to the lack of nba games being broadcasted
Jan.30 at 5:08 pm
Myles Brown says:
Jalen Rose, The Mac, Jermaine ONeal, ZBo, Gil, Boris Diaw & Monta Ellis all won MIP as players who werent drafted very high, didnt see immediate minutes and through trades or whatever else saw in increase in minutes and thus an increase in production. I see what Khalid is saying in that if you give a guy more minutes of course his production is gonna go up. But these are guys who made significant improvements to their games also and assumed leadrship roles for their respective teams. I think Al & Bynum fit that mold.
Jan.30 at 5:10 pm
Myles Brown says:
And when I say not drafted very high I mean they were not a consensus top pick. The Mac was the highest of those I mentioned and he was 9th.
Jan.30 at 5:19 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
So does anyone here argue my main point? That it’s a bigger deal to go from good to great as oppossed to okay to good. I always feel like, especially on bad teams, there are extra shots to take. So someone has to take them and if a guy averages 7 points one year and 18 the next but the team still blows then so what?
Jan.30 at 5:20 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I should clarify by saying that scoring 11 points more per game is dope, i don’t mean to minimize that.
Jan.30 at 5:30 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Didn’t Plasticman win the MIP once.. Anyways I’m with Myles Big Al Harrison should win it, no matter his teams dismal record - that his teammates are awfull, have nothing to do with how much he has improved as a player. He’s a 20-10 stud, getting doubled every possesion for chrizzake. Paul should be batteling LeBron for MVP, not challenging for this lesser award.
Jan.30 at 5:32 pm
Bryan says:
Who the f*ck is Al Harrison?
Jan.30 at 5:39 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
And Khalid as much as the Hornets has surprised, your downplaying their players skills way to much. Peja is a premieum sniper, Mo Pete a nice complementary glue guy and seasoned vet, Bob Jack can still ball, Chandler is top boardman, athletic specimen and o´ne of the best centers around (sad but true), their bench is pretty thin but not terrible, and West is way better than you give him credit for in your piece. The core are definetly not good enough to be no. 1 but not nearly as bad as you describe them to be. Also Paul was injured a lot last year, maybe people just now realize how good he’s because the team is winning. LOVE his game and persona I must add.
Jan.30 at 5:40 pm
TADOne says:
Al Harrington’s uninjured twin?
Jan.30 at 5:40 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Sorry my bad Jefferson of course.. (Blushing)
Jan.30 at 5:42 pm
davidR says:
khalid i understand what you’re saying. for someone to take on the leadership role and excel. interesting way to see the MIP award. not to take away any of cp3’s success, but paul’s been surrounded with great players that compliment him well. what about a guy like kaman, who’s teammates suck? how can you consider him for MIP if he’s not given a decent chance of winning?
Jan.30 at 5:44 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
CP for MVP is, as i mentioned earlier fine with me.
Jan.30 at 5:53 pm
davidR says:
i have no problem with that either. i’m hoping hes in serious consideration for MVP, but i’m just saying i dunno if CP3 really qualifies for MIP. like, since he went from good to great he’s MVP. i guess i just see it as MVP = champion, MIP = intercontinental from the old WWF days.
Jan.30 at 6:01 pm
TADOne says:
Now that I think about everything you said Khalid, CP3 should BE MVP, not MIP. As you stated, his teammates are good, not great. He is considered the best at his position right now. His team has the best record in the West. Sounds like an MVP to me.
Jan.30 at 6:06 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
Unfortunately for Paul, the only accolades he’ll be adding to his resume are All-Star and All-NBA First Team. In most instances, I’d call this justice. But not for Paul this season.
Jan.30 at 6:18 pm
davidR says:
who do you guys think will be the realistic 5 players in MVP contention? not who you think or feel, but who the NBA will consider? nash, dirk, kobe, kg, paul
Jan.30 at 6:23 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
it will come down to kg and lebron. kobe, nash and cp will round it out.
Jan.30 at 6:37 pm
davidR says:
wow, cant believe i forgot about lebron. i think it’ll be between kg, lebron, and paul out of the five, eventually coming down to paul or lebron.
Jan.30 at 6:54 pm
wedemhornets says:
Khalid, I am so happy someone has recognized this..i actually think he should be a starter for the all-star game, mvp and MIP kinda does not fit because even you said his numbers have improved but not like crazy..its how he holds himself and provides for the team and scores himself..e does everything a point guard need to..he goes above and behind the call of duty..he is a new Pt.god. the other night he was one rebound from a triple double..the guy is sick..Tyson Chandler and or David WEst should have made most improved last year for sure! and this year CP3 deserves it but unlike the MVP and ASGNOLA im not gonna be hugely disappointed if he does not get it. the only thing chris paul cannot do that say a BD could do is throw it down whenever is needed like the dunk over AK47 in the playoffs..but did yall see CP3 dunk on Dwight Howard..and he has dunked this year but mostly on fast breaks…
Jan.30 at 7:46 pm
Captain America says:
Face it, Khalid, Big Al has been named NBA West Player of the Week after scorching Suns with 39 points and 15 boards, and the Nets with 40 and 19. Don’t hide behind my inferiors: Iron Man and Aqua Punk err man. Someone please help Khalid come to his senses.
Jan.30 at 7:49 pm
Captain America says:
Myles, good luck, it don’t matter that Big Al has emerged as one of five who averages over 20/10. Blinders, me thinks.
Jan.30 at 8:05 pm
Joey says:
Thanks for the hornets love but we need an ish about em come on, give d-west and chandler more credit you make em sound like they are horrible when west gets 19 and 9 and chandler gets 12 and 12
Jan.30 at 8:14 pm
Tom says:
MIP has to go to either Calderon or Turkoglu, i would have said Bynum if he didn’t get injured.
Jan.30 at 8:23 pm
DP says:
CP3 was always good. the team was never bad they were just always at the freakin clinic. I see your point of MOST IMPROVED PLAYER but I don’t think he’s a candidate. Now Bynum and Rudy Gay are two different stories. Tom has a point too, Calderon is a top ten point guard in the L right now. play wit it.
Jan.30 at 8:33 pm
davidR says:
yea, but al plays ZERO defense
Jan.31 at 12:46 am
Ben Osborne says:
Kaman was great two years ago also, then stunk last year, so I don’t think he should be in the equation. I’m kind of feeling Turkoglu for MIP and Paul for third-place in MVP voting (which is nothing to look down at). Like Bodie said, Paul was already awesome, he (and his teammates) were just too banged up. Yes, he’s gotten better this year, but not remarkably so. Conversely, I don’t know how Hedo is now the Magic’s go-to player in the 4th quarter; I DEFINITELY did not see that coming.
Jan.31 at 1:25 am
niQ says:
if he wins MVP and MIP, that will be interesting
Jan.31 at 3:09 am
Zabba says:
Kwame Brown = MIP or MVP ‘NUFF SAID.
Jan.31 at 10:02 am
Kiran n7 says:
Chris Paul is the best point in the nba, period.
forget about most improved player get him the mvp already!!
Jan.31 at 10:03 am
Lakers says:
kwame sucks
:::o Bynum
Jan.31 at 10:16 am
Slim says:
I don’t think winning ROY and then MIP makes sense
Jan.31 at 11:09 am
bigdoggchad says:
What about Anthony Carter for MIP? He only played 2 games last year and look what he is doing.
Jan.31 at 12:30 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
The same Anthony Carter that CP twisted the other night? Nice. And Ironic.
Jan.31 at 1:27 pm
ciolkstar says:
It’s all about Calderon for MIP. He’s killin it this year - shooting over 50% and maintaing a 4:1 turnover ratio and around 9 assists per…Needless to say he’s holding it down for both my fantasy teams.
Jan.31 at 4:43 pm
Kevin says:
i agree that Paul’s control of the game is close to perfect.. clutch player too.
Jan.31 at 6:58 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Actually, take a look at the all-time MIP winners sometime. You do NOT want Chris Paul joining that injury-plagued list. It’s remarkable. McGrady, Z-Bo, JO, Bobby Simmons, Arenas, Jalen Rose. It’s scary, actually.
Jan.31 at 10:30 pm
polar bear says:
chris paul can make all five opponents look like they’re playing their first NBA game….the stats are great,but watching him play….wow….
Feb.4 at 5:22 am
hursty says:
what about Kaman, hes sick (as in cool), hes stats are way up then last year and still are considerably higher than the 05-06 stats he put up, (when the clips made the 2nd round if im correct).