“Chris Paul will be one of the best point guards in our game for a long time”: When Steve Nash was all praises for a rookie CP3 before he broke the Nets head coach’s assists record
Chris Paul impressed everyone, including Steve Nash, as a rookie. The Suns’ legend was in awe of the Point God’s complete game.
Chris Paul has had roller-coaster seasons in the NBA since his trade from the LA Clippers. His time with the Houston Rockets was rocky to say the least, when he was traded to Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, his contract was simply called the “worst deal in the NBA”.
Since then the 36-year-old, upon 2 All-Star seasons and a Finals trip, re-signed with Phoenix this offseason for a reported four years and $120 million. Be it the latter portion of that contract may not be a guarantee, it solidified Chris Paul’s name “Point God”.
When a young franchise like Phoenix Suns who only once came close to qualifying for the playoffs (2020) in a long while goes to the Finals (2021), it does not need to sign a 36 year to a 4-year contract the very next season. They consider him a big part of their win-now plan. And although the Suns are having a pretty average start to the season this year, Chris Paul is looking as hungry as he was in his rookie season to make it big.
Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash envisioned CP3’s success in his rookie year.
Steve Nash was heavily impressed by Chris Paul in his rookie year
Chris Paul was a 4th overall pick in the 2005 draft. The 20-year old rookie already played like a veteran when he came into the league as per another legendary point guard, Steve Nash.
“Terrific player…he’ll be one of the best point guards in our game for a long time.”
With Chris Paul passing @SteveNash for 3rd on the all-time assists list… flashback to 2005 to hear Nash’s thoughts on @CP3‘s game. #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/zXKEX6gYpQ
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 4, 2021
Not only would his prediction come true, ironically CP3 would cross Steve himself on the all-time assists leader. Obviously unaware of the fact that he himself would end up being in top-3 assist leaders of the NBA, Steve Nash would never have thought that Chris would cross him in that ranking.
Steve Nash had a tremendous NBA career. He was named league MVP twice, 5-time assist leader, 8-time All-Star, and 7 All-NBA teams, averaging 14.3 points and 8.5 assists per game.
Chris is a better overall player than Nash but couldn’t win any MVPs. He made it to 11 All-Star appearances, 10 All NBA teams, and 9 All Defensive teams. The 4-time assists and 6-time steals leader also averages 18.3 points a game to go along with 9.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds.
Paul scores way more points than most of the traditional point-guards while not compromising any of the traditional skills. He also became the only point guard in the NBA to have over 20,000 points and 10,000 assists recently.
Man has really transcended from point guard to point god. And he is having time of his life with Devin Booker and Co. Already having achieved most of Nash’s accolades he would surely want to 1 up him on Championships.
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