Paul continuing to play like an MVP in postseason

By Warren Blatt, Sports Network
The Sports Network
It is fair to say that New Orleans' Chris Paul is not intimidated by the atmosphere of the NBA playoffs. The third-year point guard has shined against the Dallas Mavericks in the first two games of the current first-round series, averaging 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 13.5 assists in a pair of double-digit home victories for the Hornets.
New Orleans won the opener 104-92, Game 2 by a convincing 127-103 score, and is nearing its first series victory since defeating the Orlando Magic in a first-round series in 2002.
Paul, who was a first-time All-Star this season, averaged 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 11.6 assists in 80 games during the regular season, leading the Southwest Division champion and second-seeded Hornets back to the postseason for the first time since 2004. His stats were extremely impressive, and placed him in what should be a two-man race for NBA MVP with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, but questions had lingered about his ability to keep up that prolific pace in the postseason.
Superstars can put up the big numbers in the regular season, but in most cases their legacy is determined by what they do in the playoffs and how far they lead their teams. This is just Paul's first trip to the postseason, but it looks like the start of what should be an impressive playoff resume.
The 22-year-old Paul has raised his game to the next level against Dallas. He has dominated veteran Jason Kidd, making his fellow All-Star look completely overmatched. Paul has controlled the tempo of Games 1 and 2, and has been able to find his teammates in the perfect spots for great looks at the basket.
The 35-year-old Kidd, meanwhile, is averaging just 9.0 points and has shot 40.0 percent from the floor. He has had major trouble defending the lightning- quick Paul, and has been distracted by his defensive pressure.
All-Star forward David West and sharp-shooting Peja Stojakovic have benefited greatly from Paul's unbelievable playmaking ability. West is averaging 25.0 points against the Mavs, while Stojakovic has netted 18.0 per game and is shooting an incredible 60.0 percent (9-for-15) from beyond the arc.
West and Stojakovic are perfect examples of how Paul impacts the production of his teammates. The 6-9 West makes his living in the low post and gets easy hoops thanks to Paul's great court vision and ability to draw the defense to him.
Stojakovic, who shot a career-best 44.1 percent from three-point range during the regular season, is a perimeter player and gets plenty of open looks at the net when Paul penetrates the lane and kicks the ball out to him for an open jumper.
Great players make their teammates better and are always ready to rise to the occasion when their teams need them most. That is exactly what Paul has done in his first two NBA playoff games, in turn proving that a lack of playoff experience has not shaken his confidence or affected his play in the least.
Whether it is a regular season or playoff game, Paul plays it like its Game 7 of the Finals. He has put the Hornets on his back, and has them inching closer to the second round of the postseason for the first time in six years.
CARLISLE WOULD WORK IN WINDY CITY
The Chicago Bulls were one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season, finishing with a 33-49 record and having its three-year playoff run halted. The Bulls will have to make some tough financial decisions during the offseason regarding forward Luol Deng and guard Ben Gordon, and given the possible personnel hurdles, hiring a competent coach who knows how to win is a no-brainer for this franchise.
The Bulls would be wise to focus their attention on former Detroit and Indiana general Rick Carlisle.
Carlisle, who guided both the Pacers and Pistons to the Eastern Conference finals, will stress defense and knows how to implement a system on both ends off the court. He understands the Central Division, and would get the Bulls back to executing on offense and playing hard-nosed defense. It would be the perfect match.