Empty the Bench

Chris Paul’s exploits on the offensive end of the floor hanve been well documented, and rightfully so. He’s the best floor general in basketball, and it’s not really close. We haven’t seen a point with his combination of offensive prowess, game-management ability and distribution skills in the last decade – and that inlcudes two-time MVP Steve Nash, who has never matched Paul’s current 11.9 assist clip or his 53.6% field-goal shooting or his 20.3-point output in any season of his career.

Paul came out of the gate like gangbusters, breaking an NBA record for consecutive games at the start of a season with at least 20 points and 10 assists – a record that had been set by Oscar Robertson in 1968. In fact, after finishing second to Kobe Bean Bryant of the Lakers in MVP voting last season Paul has upped the ante by improving in nearly every statistical category – most notably that 53.6% shooting, up from an already solid 48.8% a season ago.

But most of us know what Paul does on the offensive end, no ink has been spared in singing his praises there. What we may not hear enough about are his exploits on the defensive end of the floor. We may be hearing more about it soon. He’s about to (knock on wood) set the NBA mark for consecutive games with a steal.

Why setting the record would be extra sweet for Paul after the jump…

The current NBA record for consecutive contests with a theft is 105, set by former Spurs guard Alvin Robertson who had a steal in every game over 20 years ago from November 6, 1985 to Deccember 29, 1986. With two steals against the Charlotte Bobcats on December 10th Paul extended his personal streak of consecutive games with a steal to 102. If things go according to plan he’ll tie the mark on the upcoming Hornets road trip at Boston, Toronto and Memphis.

At that point Paul will have the chance to set the NBA record on December 17th at home against none other than Mr. Robertson’s Spurs of San Antonio. Yep, the very same Spurs who crushed the Hornets and their fans collective hearts with a seven-game defeat of New Orleans in the second round of last season’s playoffs after Paul & Co had jumped out to a 2-0 lead. It’s not going to erase those bad memories, but it would serve to sweeten the moment, if only slightly. Then again, Paul is all about the Ws, so he may not be as pumped as some of his fans.

If he does keep the streak alive and break Robertson’s mark it will be a deserved and impressive honor for a 23-yar-old in his just fourth NBA season. Paul currently leads the league with 2.8 pilfers a contest so far and he led all participants with 2.3 per game in the 2007-08 playoffs after leading the league with 2.7 swipes a game in the regular season. He’s a tad undersized and that can be a problem on the defenesive end of the floor, but Paul makes up for it with relentless hustle, great ballhawaking instincts, patience, fast hands and faster feet. That combination of skills has made him the NBA’s premier thief.

Related Reading:

- Fantasy Basketball Rankings Bazaar, Vol. 1, Issue 1
- ETB’s Interview With Ron Hitley of Hornets 24/7
- David West’s Dagger Courtesy of CP3
- Summing Up the 2007-08 Season With 36 Lists

Chris Paul Photo Credit: Icon SMI