This is a few days old, but I just came across it: [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6436820"]The lessons of Nathaniel Jones, Chris Paul's grandfather - ESPN[/ame] I've been sort of ambivalent towards Chris Paul since the whole Knicks wedding toast affair. But after reading this, I'm back to believing in him. Louisiana needs citizens like this, and I hope the Hornets find a way to keep him. Also, I need to re-acquaint myself with Mr. Reilly. I've gotten away from his writing since he left SI, but he is a fantastic writer. edit: click on the title above the video screen, and it will take you to the article.
Never been a fan of him. I saw him play several times when he was at Wake, and couldn't stand him then. As a Hornet I had him pegged as one of those wimpy new NBA guys who needed a team built around him or as a guy with all the talent and none of the desire to lead. I saw him as an anti-Bird, Johnson, Jordan. After the Lakers series I see him a bit different. He showed me a willingness to lead, and a desire to be the guy.
Great article, thanks for posting. I'm not sure that I could ever reach the stage of enlightenment that CP3 has achieved regarding his grandfather's murderers. However, the fact that they were all roughly 14 yrs old is significant. Guessing the brothers that got life must have been the ringleaders. The punishment seems to fit the crime when the brutality is considered (although not sure if CP3 would agree). For the others, they may have simply been "following the crowd" and then realized they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. If I were in a similar situation at 14 yrs old, I'm not sure that I would've demanded that the ringleaders stop their attack. Speaking out in the middle of the attack may even get yourself killed. Scoring 61 two days after the attack and missing that last free throw intentionally leads me to believe his grandfather was watching over him and that everything would be alright. Maybe that allowed CP3 to begin the healing process and achieve his advanced enlightenment.
Sometimes the media affects how I perceive athletes (or others). When they go overboard with criticism, I may end up defending the athlete which makes me like them a little more. That's probably why I became a Charles Barkley fan. I also recall not liking CP3 during his days at Wake although only saw him play a few times on ESPN. My reason for not liking him was that Dick Vitale was so obnoxious with his praise for CP3. Vitale can be annoying but even more so when he really likes a particular player.
I like a lot of NBA players these days but CP3 is my favorite. Both for his play on the court and also his overall demeanor. At only 6 feet tall, it's amazing he can dominate both ends of the court. I think he's still the only player in NBA history that has averaged 20 pts and 10 assists in his playoff career. I hope he stays in Nola for awhile because I don't have the same passion for the Hornets as I do with the Saints. If he leaves, the Hornets won't be my favorite team anymore. I could never say that about the Saints.
Red Auerbach once said,"A point guard who can score is an asset. A point guard who wants to score is a liability." Paul is the former, who is unfortunately on a team that needs him to score to win. I believe he would be perfectly happy scoring 8 points a game instead of 20, if he could turn those missing 12 points into 6 more assists and win more games.
