Chris Paul Must Play Like MVP to Save Clippers from Late-Season Swoon

Since Chauncey Billups went down with a season-ending injury, the Clippers have become mired in mediocrity, going 8-10 without him. It's times elite, MVP-caliber players need to step up and like MVP-caliber players.

In this case, that means Chris Paul. 

MVPs pick up their game when they are needed the most and Paul needs to be the MVP of the Clippers right now. Since Billups went down, Paul's numbers overall aren't that different, but when you look at his splits between the wins and the losses, it's apparent that he's part of the reason. 

Result	FG%	TRB	AST	STL	TO	PTS
Losses	0.439	3.6	6.9	2.2	3	19.7
Wins	0.500	3.6	8.6	2.3	1.9	24.1

Paul is shooting 61 points better in wins, he's averaging 1.7 more assists, 4.4 more points and 1.4 fewer turnovers. In games where he's scored at least 18 points and had at least eight assists, the Clippers are 5-1 since Billups went down. 

In games where he's had fewer than eight assists, the Clippers are 2-7. 

It's pretty clear that the Clippers go as Paul goes, so if the Clippers aren't going, it's because Paul isn't going. 

Furthermore, while Chris Paul has a reputation of being "killer" in this season, he's not quite been deserving of that reputation.

If you define "clutch time" as when the score is within five points with five minutes left, Paul has shot just .400 on the season in the clutch and just .385 since Billups went down. 

When the Clippers have needed Paul to step up the most, he hasn't. If they are gong to beat out the Lakers for the division title, they are going to need him to do it. 

Yes, the injury hurts, and the Clippers aren't going to be expected to win every game. However, they should be winning more than they are. They need Chris Paul to step and play like the MVP if they are going to do that.