At 36 years old, Chris Paul remains the undisputed Point God of the NBA. The star point guard has led the Phoenix Suns to a commanding 46-10 record as they push to avenge last year’s NBA Finals loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
As Paul inches closer to retirement, the traditional point guard role is in jeopardy of fading away, as most kids look up to flashy modern point guards like Stephen Curry, Trae Young, Ja Morant or Russell Westbrook rather than the methodical Paul.
This leads to today’s deep dive, where I try to identify the league’s young, traditional point guards and ask whether or not Paul has a true successor in today’s modern NBA landscape.
Tyrese Haliburton
The first candidate is second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton, who was recently the subject of an egregious trade by the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers (a subject for another day) is one of the league’s most exciting new-wave stars. At only 21 years old, there is a surprising maturity in Haliburton’s game, and playing next to a modern point guard in De’Aaron Fox may have been a blessing in disguise for Haliburton, as he had to quickly accept a role as a secondary scorer while picking up the main playmaking burden. When weighed against the standard of Paul, Haliburton holds up surprisingly well.
Strengths: Haliburton is already the better three-point shooter and will improve on his interior scoring as he adds to his frail frame. Being a 6-foot-5 point guard makes him the better rebounder automatically while hinting at a high defensive ceiling for his position, and at only 21, Haliburton has plenty of time to add to what is already a strong foundation.
Concerns: In Sacramento, Haliburton was a secondary option, but his recent trade to the Indiana Pacers may move him into being a primary scorer and away from traditional point guard duties. Haliburton has to bulk up to become a defender anywhere comparable to Chris Paul. Leadership intangibles are still up in the air for Haliburton as he has never been on a team that demanded him to lead in high-pressure situations at the NBA level.
Haliburton has a chance to be a great traditional point guard, but he may be transitioned into a modern one to better fit his current team.
LaMelo Ball
Another emerging traditional point guard is Hornets second-year All-Star LaMelo Ball. Ball is without a doubt one of the most creative passers to enter the league in years. The Hornets’ emergence as a legit playoff contender is tied to Ball’s rare ability to lead a high tempo fun but effective offense. Aside from LaMelo, the Hornets have four other players averaging over 15 points per game, allowing for nights where the young point guard can focus on being a pure facilitator rather than a pure scorer. It’s games like those that land LaMelo on this list.
Strengths: Already one of the most entertaining playmakers in the NBA. For a young player, LaMelo already shows great control running a high-tempo game. His three-point shot demands respect and he is already an established leader on a winning team. At 6-foot-7, Ball has tremendous defensive potential for his position.
Concerns: A super creative playmaker who can get a little too idealistic with the basketball leading to high turnover nights. While a key figure in the current Hornets team, I wouldn’t call LaMelo a leader and I don’t think his free-spirited nature would allow him to be a CP3-type general. LaMelo also needs to learn to control games at slower tempos as well as he does high-tempo affairs. Ball might ultimately be too shot-happy to accept a traditional point guard role.
If Ball can settle in as the Hornets’ second or even third scoring option and focus in on his unique passing gifts, this could get special.
Lonzo Ball
Next we have the older Ball brother. Lonzo may be the less flashy Ball brother but may be a closer stylistic fit to Paul. Lonzo, like his brother, is a special type of playmaker with the eye and ability for certain passes that others just don’t see. Lonzo is serving as the fourth scoring option on a contender to make it out of the East, a clear sign he has embraced the traditional point guard he is meant to be.
Strengths: Already one of the most creative passers in the NBA. Ahead of his brother in terms of tempo dictating as he can manage games at all tempos, but like LaMelo, favors a quicker tempo. Lonzo’s three-point shot has gone from a weakness to a key strength, and he contributes in other ways aside from scoring to a winning team. Lonzo is already a well-respected defender across the league. Does not take too many shots and naturally prefers to set others up.
Concerns: Like his brother, a super-creative playmaker who can get a little too experimental with his passing, leading to many high-turnover nights. Lonzo is more reserved and doesn’t seem like the type to scream at teammates, preventing him from being a CP3-type army general. Lonzo may be too pass happy. He is allergic to free throws and despite a 6-foot-6 frame, struggles to finish drives to the basket.
Lonzo, of all those listed, may be in the best position to play the traditional point guard role on his current team. It’s a role he has thrived in, and given time, Ball could grow into a real floor general.
Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey is one of the league’s most underrated emerging stars. The second-year 76ers guard made a humongous leap as a scorer this year but it’s the maturity in his playmaking that has been a surprise. At only 21, Maxey has emerged as the leading playmaker on a winning team with championship ambitions. As Joel Embiid has pushed for an MVP, Maxey has served the traditional point guard role. When weighed against Chris Paul an interesting player profile emerges.
Strengths: Maxey wasted no time in becoming a reliable option for the 76ers at all three scoring levels. A mature playmaker who commits few turnovers. Maxey has a developing feel for tempo dictating that should only get better with time.
Concerns: Maxey struggles on the defensive end as all young players do. The arrival of James Harden forces him to play off the ball more. Maxey does not play make at a high volume. Leadership is still a question mark for such a young player.
Harden’s presence should be an opportunity for Maxey to learn how to be a volume playmaker. A move to a lesser role should better help him understand and develop the other traits of being a traditional point guard.
Darius Garland
Moving on to a more established star, we have Darius Garland. The first-time All-Star is one of the leading faces of this new Cleveland Cavaliers era. Garland, of all the players on this list, mirrors Chris Paul the most in his ability to facilitate at a high level. He has special playmaker potential.
Strengths: Tremendous playmaker ability with a highly-developed understanding for his age on controlling the game tempo. Garland is a legit floor spacer. Gives hints of being a very efficient all-level scorer and is already an established leader on a winning team.
Concerns: Surprisingly not good at drawing free throws. A questionable defender at this point in his career. A gifted playmaker who can get a little too loose with the basketball leading to high turnover nights.
Garland seems to have mastered the offensive side of being a traditional point guard but needs to round out his game to mirror a pure traditional point guard like Chris Paul.
Dejounte Murray
Gregg Popovich’s last great act as a coach may be developing Dejounte Murray into a pure point guard.
Strengths: A mature playmaker who commits few turnovers. Worked to develop himself into a respectable shooter. Murray makes use of his 6-foot-4 frame to be a defensive nightmare. Mentored by Popovich into becoming a leading face for this current Spurs era.
Concerns: Struggles to dictate the tempo as the leading guy. At this point, we have to accept him never becoming a high volume free throw shooter. His best role might be as a second option.
Murray is the mold that I’m hoping Haliburton can grow into. Murray does not have to score for his presence to be felt in a game. He can have an impact on a game through his playmaking, rebounding or defense. The only concern with Murray is whether or not to hold the Spurs’ current lackluster record against him. It’s not the most talented roster but it is concerning they don’t win more.
No Clear Successor For Chris Paul
No new-wave traditional point guard quite puts it all together on both sides of the court (and off the court) like Paul. A crazy mix of efficient scoring, efficient playmaking, impactful defense, leadership and finding the ability to win games for your team. On one hand, it seems that no direct successor seems to have emerged, but on the other hand, Chris Paul is 36 and it may take a few years for one of these players to get to that level. Chris Paul remains the NBA’s Point God as no one else in the NBA can do what he does.
Every year we seem to value the traditional point guard less in favor of the combo guard, but there is a hidden art in not shooting a lot and still winning games. The too-often-overlooked ability to grab the tempo of a game and speed it up or slow it down in your team’s favor. The Suns, for years, were a wasteland. Now, one year with an actual pure point guard, and they go all the way to the Finals. Chris Paul has mastered this position and it seems it’ll be a while before we witness another Point God on his level.
