The MVP award is about redemption isn’t it? It's about how much work a superstar has put in not just this season but for the last couple of seasons. That will certainly be a factor in Kobe’s case. Chris Paul’s too. What about Deron Williams?
In his rookie year (2005-06), Williams led the Utah Jazz to a 41-41 record, good for 2nd in their division after they were only 26-56 before his arrival.
Last year, he made Utah a playoff team, as they finished atop the Northwest division with a 51-31 record. In the postseason, he beat Yao, McGrady and the Rockets and Baron Davis and the Golden State Warriors, which advanced the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals.
They managed to wrestle away a game from the eventual champions—the San Antonio Spurs—before going down in defeat.
What did Chris Paul do? Chris Paul took his team to a losing record in his first year there, 39-43.
If people are going to argue about the crazy numbers Paul has this season, they need to take a look at this. Their numbers are almost identical.
Chris Paul: 21.5 points per game, an NBA-best 11.5 assists per game, four rebounds, 2nd in the league in double-doubles
Deron Williams: 19.5 points per game, 10.5 assists per game, three rebounds per game, 4th in the league in double-doubles
Williams has the edge in blocks, three-point shooting, turnovers, and field goal percentage. Paul has it in points, assists, rebounds, free throw shooting, and steals.
Look at their head-to-head matchups: Utah 99 New Orleans 71, Utah 110 New Orleans 88.
In game one (99-71), Chris Paul had 15 points, six assists, six rebounds, and five turnovers on 5-12 shooting. Who was guarding him? Deron Williams.
Deron Williams had 12 points, seven assists, rebounds, and shot 6-9 in New Orleans.
In game two, Paul only had six points, six assists, and four rebounds on 3-11 shooting, thanks again to D. Willz.
Williams had 29 points and 11 assists after shooting 11-13 to sweep the season series with the New Orleans Hornets.
In game 3, April 8, 2008
Deron Williams had 4 points and 16 assists
Chris Paul had 4 points 9 assists on 2-11 shooting
Furthermore, the Utah Jazz are 18-7 since the All-Star Break and the Hornets are 20-7 since the All-Star Break.
What else needs to be said about how Williams is better than Paul? Deron Williams deserves the MVP award just as much as Chris Paul.
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4 months ago
Your article is to the point in showing that CP3's stats don't blow Deron's stats out of the water as the media makes it out to be. However your analysis should have included the game we lost in New Orleans, where CP3 had a good game against Deron. Still, since your article is about the MVP trophy Paul has a good chance of getting, head-to-head games are of limited importance. So far CP3 can be considered to have a better season than Deron because his team has a better record and Deron mailed in a few more games than him, especially in the month of December.
I congratulate you on bringing out that players past should be considered in MVP award, that was the main reason Lebron didn't win it in 2006 in my opinion. It sounds awkward for a guy who hasn't played a playoff game to win an MVP award and Deron certainly has the upper hand on CP3 in regard to past success. Still, CP3 is has had a better overall season and you article didn't lead me into thinking otherwise. Deron simply played sub par during the first two months, especially in road games and that reflects on his and Jazz's stats badly.
4 months ago
Great article Sean. It's nice to see someone else finally giving Deron the credit he deserves. I truly believe that D-Will and CP3 are tied right now for best point guard in the league.
Let's see if Paul can get it done in the playoffs. Deron has already shown he can, and will do it again this year.
4 months ago
Nice article. Really appreciate you writing something that isnt related to Chris Paul ( all the time) or Kobe Bryant in the MVP race. But, if you're going to include D Will..please include Baron Davis too. B-diddy is beyond amazing this year with the Warriors. Consider these numbers: (PPG- 21.9, Rebounds- 4.60, APG- 7.6). Okay, I know that his assists are not equal to CP3's or D-Will's..but that's because he, Stephen Jack, and Monta Ellis take most if not all the shots the Warriors attempt.
Regardless, I believe that Deron Williams and Baron Davis combined should be in the MVP race. Sure New Orleans sits atop the West, but that's not all an MVP has to have. It's a big part, but it's not all.
Nice Job and please have more of these articles on. i dont want to keep reading about Kobe Bryant losing the MVP to Chris Paul or vice versa.
4 months ago
Deron doesn't have the edge in turnovers. Chris Paul has a much better assist to turnover ratio, check the stats.
4 months ago
I'm not sure what your point is. Your own stats that you pulled out, say that Paul is better in all of the MAJOR categories. Points, assists, rebounds, double-doubles, and steals. He's better statistically and his team is better. Isn't that enough? Paul is better than Williams.
from 4 months ago
However, Deron Williams has made the bigger impact and the most significant turnaround. When's the last time Paul has won a playoff series? Never. His team hasn't even made the playoffs since he joined them.
from 3 months ago
Sean, the MVP award is given to the best player in the league for one season. whether or not paul has led the hornets to the playoffs in season's past is irrelevant. it's not for his total body of work it's for the 07-08 season.
you can't honestly use paul's lack of playoff experience as a negative for the 07-08 MVP????
4 months ago
Once again, Deron owned CP3. Have fun with your 4 points on 2-11 shooting and 9 assists Chris Paul.
from 4 months ago
Thank you do you see my point. That's the second time Deron has held Paul to under 10 points this season.
from 4 months ago
This isn't the most improved player award, or the who has won the most series award. THIS YEAR - Who is the better player?
4 months ago
He is one of the best point gaurds in NBA History. he's cute and fast he should be the MVP for the 2007-2008 year.
4 months ago
"What else needs to be said about how Williams is better than Paul? Deron Williams deserves the MVP award just as much as Chris Paul."
How you call yourself a journalist and make that statement when you have not adequately tied your evidence and its relative content to your conclusion eludes me.
You mash together some stats, of which the only one in which Deron is truly ahead on in terms of the typical measure of a point guard is assist/turnover and then make the bold statement ..What else needs to be said..
I'm sorry but much more needs to be said before you make a statement like that and expect anyone who is not a homer like yourself to believe the integrity of your message..
You could say based on stats its a shame Deron does not get the recognition he deserves and that his name does not come up in the dialogue for MVP. That's a fair conclusion.
As it is you just sound like a jaded homer who is sad because the only thing that comes to mind when people think of Utah is Big Love, Brigham Young, The Salt Flats and that it hosted an Olympic Games.
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