A 2-2 run between the Suns and Pelicans wasn't a disaster, as they're just on the same running line in a three-game series right now. However, in the game of losing Devon Booker, the struggle performance of the suns represented by Paul should be paid attention to.
Throughout his career, Paul's team has been able to greatly improve the lower level of the team, even in the thunder such a rookie rebuilding team, but for the team's ceiling to increase is difficult to say. The only time in his career that he touched the floor of the Western Conference Finals was at that time with Harden, who was far ahead of the Rockets, scoring ability and singles ability.
So, it's easy to ask: What kind of teammates can play with Paul to the championship level?
Non-tall point guard, leading the team can not win the championship?
Paul's upper limit seems to have traces.
Basketball is a long-term sport, and although there are players in the 180-190 range who have made a name for themselves in the NBA through talent and hard work, there are very few who can lead the team as the big core of the team and successfully win the championship.
The logic is also simple. In the playoffs, the further back you go, the more intense the defense becomes. Small point guards are inherently inferior in height and arm span, and are easily consumed on the defensive end and limited on the offensive end.
The point guards who lead the team to win the championship have the following characteristics:
Height is not like a "point guard". For example, The magic Johnson in the show time period, although it is a point guard play, but the height can play multiple positions, even if it is the top of the center is not timid. This kind of tall player with the ball is completely absent from the disadvantages that may be brought about by the body in the playoffs.
Playing style ahead of the times. There are also examples of point guards who are closer to the era to win the championship, Stephen Curry ushered in a new era of three-point shooting, and in a short period of time, teams followed, the proportion of three-pointers increased rapidly, but even so, the best solution to Curry is to take out strong, height and better arm span flank defenders to cover, increase consumption, and create instability in the shot. Not to mention, in their last two titles, they also have top offensive striker Kevin Durant.
In contrast, Paul's type, mainly passing, and the defender who is less than 1 meter 9 tall leads the team to win the championship, and seems to have very little hope.
Paul is not without a championship team, in the Clippers, Griffin, Paul and little Jordan brothers seem to have suffered an injury curse, playing well in the season, Griffin and Paul are more or less injured, it is difficult to step into the threshold of the Western Conference Finals and reversed, tried for a period of time, the Clippers finally lost patience with it.
Later came to the Rockets, the strongest point of the partner at the time, in the case of everyone is very optimistic about the pair, they met the Warriors in their heyday, during that time, although they were the only team in the league that could fight hard with the Warriors, but in the end it was a loss, and the late light bulb openly contradicted in the style of play and rhythm, both of them had an injury history, and then disbanded the group.
After going through the Hornets, Rockets, Thunder and Suns, Paul became old and demon after his hamstring was better, and in a few games, the scoring explosiveness of key moments did not lose the years. But in terms of leading the team, Paul seems to be a little distance away from the championship.
Defend Paul the way you defend James
After Booker's injury returned, the Pelicans immediately made adjustments.
Willie Green's defensive strategy toward Paul has changed, no longer using a change of defense, but to use a defender to wrap around Paul, determined not to give the big play a small chance. In the fourth verse, Alvarado's death entanglement is particularly evident in Paul's consumption.
Paul's two best moves: punishing the center after changing defenses, and taking advantage of the opportunity to deliver offense after disrupting the lineup, if these two points can be limited at the same time, it is to erase Chris Paul's martial arts.
After the Suns resolutely implemented the strategy of not changing defenses, Paul could no longer effectively connect the Suns' attacks. In addition to Ayton scoring 23 points based on his height and offensive talent, the Suns' Johnson, Bridges and Crowder scored just 11 of their 30 shots.
This is the knock-on effect of Booker's absence. Without a super scorer on the outside, the Suns will lose the space constraint, and the defenders can safely consume Paul, and Paul is limited, further exacerbating the Suns' offensive and space problems, forming a vicious circle.
Payne on the bench is a variable that exists. The Suns' problems had to be solved by a ball carrier, and now only Payne could afford this task in the squad. But Payne was in a playoff spot, and playing time plummeted to 16 minutes. The Suns were also unable to organize an effective offense in the second lineup, which added to Paul's burden.
Soon it came to the battle of King Mountain, the Suns really could not afford to lose, the Suns, who lacked super scorers, had to face the Pelicans with CJ and Ingram, and before Booker returned, the Suns were experiencing the most difficult moments.