Drew Brees, Chris Paul Are Big Easy Treasures

Indeed, these are rare times to be cherished by New Orleans sports fans. Locals can count on one hand the number of athletes that have come through town that can truly be considered among the elite.

"Pistol" Pete Maravich comes to mind and perhaps Archie Manning and Rickey Jackson come close.

But right now, The Big Easy is experiencing the joy of witnessing two of the best at their respective crafts ply their trade.

Though still too early to call, Drew Brees and Chris Paul appear on track for hall-of-fame careers and New Orleans has the rare privilege of witnessing both perform right here at home.

Paul is widely regarded as the best point guard in the NBA and the World for that matter. Like Maravich, Paul routinely executes basketball wizardry that can make heads spin more than a "Hurricane" cocktail from Pat O'Briens. Unlike, Maravich, CP3 is winning games and inspires dreams of world championships in the imaginations of Hornets fans.

As for Brees, many consider him to be the best quarterback in the NFL not named Brady or Manning. A Super Bowl ring would make him their equal.

Since first donning the black and gold in 2006, he has lead the Saints to the NFC Championship game for the first and only time in franchise history and seriously threatened Dan Marino's record for single-season passing yardage.

In three short seasons, Brees may have already established himself as the best Quarterback in the Saints' humble history.

And we get to watch them both... at the same time. New Orleans has never seen such an exciting pair perform in the same era.

Largely because of these two, their respective teams are at least outside threats to win it all in the upcoming seasons.

Equally as pleasant, is the manner in which they carry themselves outside of their competitive arenas. Both have thrown themselves into the city and its recovery from the get-go.

Shortly after signing with the Saints in 2006, Brees took out an ad in the local newspaper expressing his family's eagerness to become a part of the community and its rebuilding efforts.

And he has lived up to his word with meaningful charity work through his Dream Brees Foundation.

Paul has done much the same, working with area youth and being a strong example through his hard work, generosity and class.

Who knows how long Paul and Brees will call New Orleans home. Free agency and the business side of pro sports can be a cruel thing.

But for now, New Orleans sports fans have a pair of elite performers and solid citizens to proudly call their own. Enjoy them, Big Easy. One is rare, let alone two.