Is CP3 really the best player on the Suns? Who else has topped this at 35

[R. Johnson#3]

Had a feeling some of you would name Bron but hes not really the same stature as CP3. Im being more literal than usual but Im relying on both classical definitions of the word stature, as in height and rep. Im not talking about 6"8 chiseled adonis' like Bron and Karl Malone, or 7 footers.

Lowry is a good mention. Less miles on him but hes holding it down late too.

One could argue there's even more mileage on Lowry. Being a starter for Dwane Casey while also being 1 of 2 players to do all the scoring definitely put some extra mileage on him. Lets not forget the guy leads the league in charges drawn basically every year. There's a reason why Raptor fans love the guy so much.

[smith&wesson]

I'm aware of that. They did so well because it was the 1st time they had a real PG in almost a decade. His overall numbers were way worse than his norms though. If I say the reason why his numbers were so bad in Houston then it'll almost certainly cause a **** storm based off Rockets fans not being able to handle the truth.

Who cares? Lowrys numbers went down when Kawhi was here too. Does that mean he was any lessor of a player?

Harden isn’t on any of my teams. Bash away. Have at it. But when you say things like “careers get way better once you leave Houston” what sort of response are you expecting?

And how did Paul’s career get “better” has he reached the conference finals since he was in Houston? What success has he had since being traded?

Derozans numbers are much better in San Antonio, does that mean his career has gotten better? Because he had the most success in Toronto. You can say his game has improved sure, but his career hasn’t gotten better.

The closest Paul ever reached to post season success was in Houston.

[R. Johnson#3]

Who cares? Lowrys numbers went down when Kawhi was here too. Does that mean he was any lessor of a player?

Harden isn’t on any of my teams. Bash away. Have at it. But when you say things like “careers get way better once you leave Houston” what sort of response are you expecting?

And how did Paul’s career get “better” has he reached the conference finals since he was in Houston? What success has he had since being traded?

Derozans numbers are much better in San Antonio, does that mean his career has gotten better? Because he had the most success in Toronto. You can say his game has improved sure, but his career hasn’t gotten better.

The closest Paul ever reached to post season success was in Houston.

I'm referring to both Kyle Lowry and CP3 as both of their careers got better once they left Houston.

[mightybosstone]

It is interesting to see Paul playing at such a high level given that this is his fifth franchise, and he had a reputation for injuries once he hit his 30s. If you had told me three years ago that Paul would be on his third team in three years, first off I'd be depressed that he's not in Houston (which I am), but I'd be equally as shocked to see the numbers he's putting up at 35 for his third franchise over that time.

When I think of elite all-time floor generals with longevity, Stockton is obviously the guy who comes to mind. He was never the scorer Paul was, but at his peak, he was at least at a 17/14 guy. By age 35, he was only playing 29 minutes a game and averaging 12/9 a night, albeit still at a hyper-efficient level. But that was expected of him, because he was an ironman who'd played 13 straight seasons of at least 78 games up to that point in his career.

Paul, by contrast, has dealt with his injuries his whole career. But he somehow bucked the trend to stay healthy for the entirety of last season and is every bit as healthy this year. On top of that, he's still averaging 17 a night and doing so efficiently while still logging big minutes. I'm pleasantly surprised he's still playing at this level at this age given where his career seemed to be headed in his second season in Houston. Honestly, Phoenix is probably the team I'd most like to see win it all this year. Paul getting a ring and getting that unfair "postseason choker" label off his back would be glorious.

[smith&wesson]

I'm referring to both Kyle Lowry and CP3 as both of their careers got better once they left Houston.

No you were being coy. What you said was very straight forward. But let’s go ahead and surpass that because I can care less if you like Houston or not. It’s just childish. Imagine I came here and said, Chris Bosh is living proof that careers get better once leaving Toronto? It would be a dumb thing to say wouldn’t it?

But I’ll put it this way. Paul’s career didn’t get better. He got traded to the thunder who were eliminated in the first round, by who? You guessed it Houston. He then got traded again to PHX. I dunno if you expect the suns to get to the conference finals, but that’s how far Paul got with Houston. So no his career didn’t get better.

People determin a basketball career by the success the player achieves not simply the numbers he puts up on good teams vs bad teams. OKC overachieved with Paul but they were never a playoff threat by any means. Unless you consider a first round exit something special?

[R. Johnson#3]

No you were being coy. What you said was very straight forward. But let’s go ahead and surpass that because I can care less if you like Houston or not. It’s just childish. Imagine I came here and said, Chris Bosh is living proof that careers get better once leaving Toronto? It would be a dumb thing to say wouldn’t it?

But I’ll put it this way. Paul’s career didn’t get better. He got traded to the thunder who were eliminated in the first round, by who? You guessed it Houston. He then got traded again to PHX. I dunno if you expect the suns to get to the conference finals, but that’s how far Paul got with Houston. So no his career didn’t get better.

People determin a basketball career by the success the player achieves not simply the numbers he puts up on good teams vs bad teams. OKC overachieved with Paul but they were never a playoff threat by any means. Unless you consider a first round exit something special?

Dude, stop telling me what I'm doing. I'm 100% forthcoming when I talk to you. I know what I said and I know what I meant when I said it.

[smith&wesson]

I'm referring to both Kyle Lowry and CP3 as both of their careers got better once they left Houston.

No you use those guys as examples of “living proof” that careers get better after leaving Houston. Your beef with one poster shouldn’t result to spewing none sense at an entire fan base. It’s funny because as Raps fans we endure that enough and here you are doing it to Rockets fans. Irony right here.

[smith&wesson]

Dude, stop telling me what I'm doing. I'm 100% forthcoming when I talk to you. I know what I said and I know what I meant when I said it.

If someone else said something as dumb about Toronto I would go at them too. You don’t say things like that with out expecting a reaction. You’re smarter than that.

[R. Johnson#3]

If someone else said something as dumb about Toronto I would go at them too. You don’t say things like that with out expecting a reaction. You’re smarter than that.

You can react all you want. You just don't tell me what I meant. You have no idea what I'm thinking. Notice how I always ask for clarification from you? Maybe you should try doing the same before making assumptions?

[mightybosstone]

No you use those guys as examples of “living proof” that careers get better after leaving Houston. Your beef with one poster shouldn’t result to spewing none sense at an entire fan base. It’s funny because as Raps fans we endure that enough and here you are doing it to Rockets fans. Irony right here.

[Chronz]

One could argue there's even more mileage on Lowry. Being a starter for Dwane Casey while also being 1 of 2 players to do all the scoring definitely put some extra mileage on him. Lets not forget the guy leads the league in charges drawn basically every year. There's a reason why Raptor fans love the guy so much.

Yeah but Raps fans dont remember the guy who was a bench player for the majority of his early career and didn't reach All-Star level until he got to Toronto. Meanwhile CP3 was carrying franchises from the jump and played alil D himself, he didn't play that rest game either. I feel like CP3 has dealt with alot more injuries too.

[mightybosstone]

Yeah but Raps fans dont remember the guy who was a bench player for the majority of his early career and didn't reach All-Star level until he got to Toronto. Meanwhile CP3 was carrying franchises from the jump and played alil D himself, he didn't play that rest game either. I feel like CP3 has dealt with alot more injuries too.

Yeah, Paul's logged 100+ more games, 300+ more starts and like 6,500+ more minutes. And that's just regular season. When you factor in playoffs and their international career, Paul's mileage dwarfs Lowry's.

[R. Johnson#3]

Yeah but Raps fans dont remember the guy who was a bench player for the majority of his early career and didn't reach All-Star level until he got to Toronto. Meanwhile CP3 was carrying franchises from the jump and played alil D himself, he didn't play that rest game either. I feel like CP3 has dealt with alot more injuries too.

I'm aware of how he warmed the bench before becoming a superhero. How about present day though? CP3 is slowing down and plays 31 or 32 MPG over the last 5 years while Lowry still gives 35 a night or more over the last 7 seasons.

On the topic of injuries. That's on CP3. Lowry is tough as **** and gets knocked on his *** more than anyone in the league. And that's not even counting for when he flops.

[Chronz]

I'm aware of how he warmed the bench before becoming a superhero. How about present day though? CP3 is slowing down and plays 31 or 32 MPG over the last 5 years while Lowry still gives 35 a night or more over the last 7 seasons.

On the topic of injuries. That's on CP3. Lowry is tough as **** and gets knocked on his *** more than anyone in the league. And that's not even counting for when he flops.

Lowry had to learn what CP3 was born with, count the flops, Im sure CP3 beats him on that. And injuries kind of matter when discussing mileage but thats not really up to either player.

[mightybosstone]

Lowry had to learn what CP3 was born with, count the flops, Im sure CP3 beats him on that. And injuries kind of matter when discussing mileage but thats not really up to either player.

It's worth noting that Paul has actually logged more minutes this season. Lowry is playing more minutes per game, but he's missed seven of Toronto's games this season. Paul has only missed one game so far this year. Paul played more games and logged more minutes than Lowry last season as well.