Ten years ago the best point guards in the league were Magic Johnson and John Stockton. Five years ago the best were Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. Today, the clear cut two-man race is New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.
Before diving into the numbers and head-to-head comparisons, it helps to look further back. Both men came from very successful college programs, Williams at Illinois and Paul from Wake Forest, and entered the 2005 NBA Draft.
The 2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 Draft featured some highly-ranked prospects, other than Paul and Williams, like Andrew Bogut, Marvin Williams, Danny Granger, and David Lee just to name a few. Milwaukee won the lottery and the no-brainer number one pick was Bogut, the 7-foot big man from Utah. Marvin Williams then went number two to Atlanta and Utah had their choice between Paul and Williams at #3.
Utah brought both guards to Salt Lake City for a workout and apparently liked both guards (shocking right?). With the Jazz still trying to find their replacement for John Stockton, the team went with Williams. The feeling was that he was a better fit for the Jerry Sloan system of pick and roll basketball. The Hornets picked next and nabbed Paul. And then the comparisons of the two future all-stars was rampant.
Comparing Deron Williams and Chris Paul statistically:
- 2005-2006: Williams comes off the bench for Utah behind Keith McCloud (that will be a good trivia question!) and averages 10.6 points per game and 4.5 assists as Utah misses the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Paul, on the other hand, runs away with the Rookie of the Year award tallying 16.1 points, 7.8 assists. The Hornets, playing the majority of the year in Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina, also miss the post-season.
- 2006-2007: Williams was handed the reigns of the Jazz and finished the season averaging 16.2 points and 9.3 assists per game. Williams led Utah to the Western Conference Finals before bowing out to San Antonio. Paul also enjoyed more individual success with 17.3 points and 8.9 assists per contest.
- 2007-2008: Williams continues his rise to superstardom with averages of 18.8 points and 10.5 assists per game. The Jazz won 54 games during the season and lost in the 2nd round of the post-season to the Los Angeles Lakers. Paul's numbers jump again as well, scoring 21.1 points per game and dishing out 11.6 assists. He also led the NBA in steals at nearly three per game. Paul finishes the season second in MVP voting as the Hornets win 56 games and were eliminated in the second round by San Antonio.
- 2008-2009: Williams missed 13 of Utah's first 15 games due to an ankle injury and rebounded by putting up a career high 19.4 points and 10.7 assists. Utah's playoff struggles continue as they bowed out to the Lakers again--this time in the first round. Paul's scoring numbers also jumped, scoring 22.8 points a game. He also dished 11 assists a game for the second straight season.
What's More Important for a Point Guard Wins or Stats?
Looking statistically the comparison clearly favors Paul. His numbers rank amongst the best in the league, not just best among point guards. However, Williams has perhaps the most important numbers on his side when it comes to facing Paul . . . wins.
Since the two guards entered the league Williams has won ten of the 12 meetings head-to-head with Paul. Last season Utah swept New Orleans in three contests.
As experts and fans argue and compare these two for the next ten years, what really is more important–the winning or the numbers?
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