The Dallas Mavericks Can't Stop Chris Paul

The Mavericks can't stop Chris Paul, but then again, no one else can either. Paul looks like the leader in the MVP race, and his Hornets look to be the most likely first-round opponent Dallas could face. So, what's the best strategy for defending him?

Doubleteam/Trap the Pick-and-Roll

The last time these teams played, the Mavs tried doing this, but the problem here is bringing Eric Dampier and Dirk away from the rim.

Peja Stojakovic, Morris Peterson, and Bobby Jackson can really fill it up on the wing, so the Mavs can't leave them open often. The hope is to flatten Paul out and not let him turn the corner, where he can find a wide open David West or Tyson Chandler cutting to the basket.

Sag/Protect the Paint

This is usually conventional wisdom versus a very athletic, traditional point guard. However, when the Mavs tried this on February 20th (Kidd's debut), Paul hit two threes in the third quarter with defenders playing off of him. He's got to hit them in the playoffs, though.

Hack/Head-Up

Obviously, no one in the league has been successful with this, or Paul wouldn't be an MVP favorite. If the Mavs use multiple defenders and lots of fouls, this could work.

No one in the league has more riding on his shoulders (LeBron is close), and with this being this Hornets team's first trip to the playoffs, we would find out if Chris Paul really is an MVP.

The Best Strategy

Probably a mix of all three, but I say Hack/Head-Up early to try to get Paul out of a rhythm, and then Sag/Protect later when he's had people banging on him for a quarter and a half.

This could backfire, but if it does, he's really the MVP and, unlike last year, Dallas is just an underdog.

So, will Dallas stop Chris Paul?  No.  They could stop the Hornets, though, and we'll see another MVP get his trophy after his team has been sent home for the remainder of the playoffs.