In the 2022 NBA season, so far, Paul has averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.3 blocks, 48.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent for three-pointers, and 83.7 percent for free throws. Led the Suns all the way to the top of the league, and the record is firmly ranked first in the league.
Looking back at the 2005 season, when Nash was first elected MVP, he averaged 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks, 50.2% from the field, 43.1% from three points, 88.7% from the free throw line, and led the Suns to 62 wins and 20 losses, ranking first in the league.
In contrast, Nash shot more efficiently on the offensive end, Paul had an advantage in rebounding, steals, blocks, and he clearly did better on the defensive end. Intuitively speaking, Nash is undoubtedly the top star on the offensive end, but it is likely to be a team loophole on the defensive end. Paul is very capable of both offensive and defensive ends, and as a ball player, Paul may be the best template. This is also an important reason why Paul does not have an MVP, but his historical status is often ranked very high.
In the editor's opinion, Paul will be a strong contender for MVP this season, and at the end of the regular season, the Suns' wins can reach about 65 games. In contrast, the other three strong contenders of the MVP, Embiid, Jokic and Alphabet Brother, are all constrained by the team's record, hovering in the fourth and fifth places in their respective divisions, and Jokic's Nuggets even fell to the sixth place in the Western Division.
Obviously, Paul, who is not low in historical status, if he gets the MVP this season, his historical status will be further sublimated, and he can instantly reach the level of equality with Charles Barkley. Let's compare:
Barkley: 1MVP, 5 first, 5 second
Paul: 1MVP, 4 first, 5 second (assuming MVP, plus a bunch of the best defensive lineups, Paul is perfectly qualified to match Barkley.) ）
Do you think it makes sense?