The Hornets Swamp the Mavericks in Game 2 "Where Amazing Happens"

It didn't take long, did it?  First, we had that amazing double overtime game between the Spurs and the Suns on the opening day of the playoffs.  Then tonight in Game 2 between the Hornets and Mavericks, we have that simply amazing encore performance by Chris Paul following his brilliant playoff debut in Game 1. 

The Hornets point guard certainly exemplified the NBA Motto: "Where Amazing Happens" and then some.  Maybe David Stern should think about changing it to: Chris Paul "Where Amazing Happens."

On Saturday, Paul almost single-handedly brought his Hornets back from a 12-point 52-40 halftime deficit to beat the Mavericks by 12-points, 104-92.  In that Game, Paul scored 35 points with 10 assists.

So, in Game 2, one would think there's no way he could top that.  Wrong!  He only set a Hornets playoff record with 17 assists to go with 32 points.  His performance set a couple of NBA records as well. 

Paul became the first player in NBA history with back-to-back 30-point, 10-assist, 3-steal games.  He was also the first player in history with 30 points and 10 assists in his first two playoff games.  So much for playoff experience.

In fact, Paul and his Hornet teammates could do anything they wanted with the Mavericks, who have had all sorts of playoff experience.  Paul picked apart their defense, splitting double teams and dribbling around traps to lead his team to a whooping 127-103 victory.

While Paul had defenders reeling, his teammates were setting some Hornets playoff records of their own.  They scored the most points in a quarter: 39 in the first.  The most points in a half: 67 in the first half.  The most points for the Nuggets in a playoff game: 127.  The most 3-pointers made by the team: 10.  And, of course, the most assists in a playoff game: 17 by you know who.

Though he is small in stature for a basketball player, Chris Paul is a giant as far as talent is concerned.  There isn't another point guard like him in the NBA.  Just in his third year, Paul's upside is tremendous.  As long as he remains healthy, there is no telling how many MVP trophies he will net before his career is over.

Outmanned and outgunned, the Mavericks return to Dallas for Game 3 and Game 4.  But if they don't figure out a way to stop Chris Paul, they won't be coming back to New Orleans "Where Amazing Has Just Happened."