And I already said that I guess Paul is punished that his teams were inferior to that of the Spurs, Cavs, or Lakers. If I remember correctly, isn't Basketball a team sport. We might as well say Robert Horry>Michael Jordan. Since as you know Horry has been to more finals. We can keep going back and forth.
You cite one stat Paul is better than the league average in. And what of the others? http://www.82games.com/0708/07NOH1C.HTM He's nothing special defensively and got torched more than anyone I can recall last year at that position who played that many minutes. The fact that he steals to that degree means very little.
Because the stat's(not just one) show that he gives up a marginal amount more points than the average PG. But compensation from creating steals he takes away 1.44 points per game from the opposing team compared to an average Point Guard. The net, is +.5 points per game in Paul's favor so he's actually saving more points by creating steals than great on the ball defense. case closed.
Steve Nash gives up an Efficiency Field Goal percentage of 47, is he a good defender? Well compared to Paul's 52% possibly. Your analysis is incomplete.
The 52 percent was the FG percentage allowed not eFG percentage. Paul gives up an eFG of .469 The stats your using aren't really giving you a good argument. Let's look around the league at what I consider the best on the ball defenders at PG. We'll post Paul's stats for this year, the very same ones you've been using. Code: Paul http://www.82games.com/0809/08NOH1.HTM#bypos Counterpart eFG .469, PER 16.9 Rondo http://www.82games.com/0809/08BOS1.HTM#bypos Counterpart eFG .478, PER 16.3 Harris http://www.82games.com/0809/08NJN1.HTM#bypos Counterpart eFG .507, PER 18.0 Miller http://www.82games.com/0809/08PHI1.HTM#bypos Counterpart eFG, .507, PER 17.3 Billups http://www.82games.com/0809/08DEN1.HTM#bypos Counterpart eFG .486, PER 15.8 The stats that you have been using it shows that Paul actually holds his opponent to less eFG and a lower PER than most rest of the league. I've admitted that Paul is not a great on the ball defender but with him being a disruptor and creating steals he makes up for his on the ball defense. But according to YOUR stats he's a great on the ball defender even on par with the leagues best.. Your argument is more flawed than mine.
Roy isn't better than Kobe. Kobe is the 3rd best player in the league while Roy is borderline top 10.
Various defensive stars live by their reputation. I never said any of these other players were elite defenders. Further, I was using 07-08 data because this season isn't even over yet. Nash has held his opponents to an eFG of 47 as I have stated, and? That is but one aspect of defense. And PGs don't just look to just score with the ball, PER takes into account turnovers caused by Paul and opposing PER is still above the league average. You've proven nothing, look at my original post.
Kobe, LaBron and Duncan are in a league of their own. Wade is close, but after that the drop off is pretty significant. I can't really decide who is best between the top three. Perhaps Kobe because he has altered his game multiple times to make up for the slight deterioration of his athletic abilities. LaBron has not had to make that kind of adjustment yet, and Ducan never needed to since he played like an old man at 22. I tend to lean towards Duncan, to be honest, but I have no real proof. I do think that it is a fun conversation to have. I have always admired Duncan's game even if I hate the way he has owned Portland. There is no doubt he is the best Power Forward of all time. As good as he is, Kobe cannot claim the same for his position. CP3 is awesome and should be an MVP canidate, if you consider it as Most Valuable Player to their team. The Hornets wouldn't make the playoffs without CP3 and they are always in the hunt with him. That effect can only really be seen in his absence. This does not make CP3 the best player in the NBA. If you consider MVP to be Most Valuable Player to the NBA as a whole, then Kobe and LaBron should split the award every year.
