Spring Break
Best Of The Best Floor Generals
Joe Colombo
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Sports
3. Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs: I could probably get away with saying Parker has three rings in six seasons, and nothing else. But, I can throw some numbers around, too. Parker is averaging 20.7 points and 7.1 assists per game, and has a 52.6 field goal percentage. Most impressive, however, is that Parker only averages 2.2 turnovers while playing almost 35 minutes per game. Parker also does something better than any other point guard in the league - taking the ball to the rack. The man can drive to the basket and is so acrobatic that he can avoid any forward or center in the league. If he feels he can't get a good shot off, he dishes the rock to one of the many scoring threats on his team. Please do yourself a favor and watch Parker play in the playoffs. You will see why he is on the list instead of the Kidd in New Jersey (unless this list was made in 2002).
2. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets: In a few years, Steve Nash and Paul will most likely be flip-flopped. It was unfortunate to see Chris Paul leave the late Skip Prosser and Wake Forest early - Prosser could have gotten him a little bit more NBA-ready. But it doesn't matter all too much, because Paul should be an all-star every year until he retires. Numbers the Demon Deacon has put up so far in his young career have been nothing but over-achieving. Paul was one rebound shy of a triple double against the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday, scoring 33 points, recording 12 dimes, and grabbing 9 boards. On top of these numbers, Paul had 3 steals and only 2 turnovers. Most importantly, this general led the Hornets to a win against one of the best teams in the league. Twice this season Paul has recorded more assists than points - including a 19 points, 21 assists performance early last month. At a 12-6 record, Paul is the reason why every team is scared of the Hornets again. The last time teams worried about the Hornets, Larry Johnson's purple Charlotte jersey was a hot item on the market.
1. Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns: Whether you look at the statistics or not, Nash is the best point guard in the league. He passes the ball like Cheech and Chong pass a - well, you know - very effectively … and very often. Nash can throw 20 assists on any given night, but you can't blame him for liking to score points, too. After the no-look passes and behind-the-back feeds to Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, this Canadian averages 18.9 points each night. Nash leads all point guards in field goal percentage (53.3), three-point shots made per contest (2.1), three-point field goal percentage (47.4), and assists per contest (11.4). He is third out of point guards in foul shooting (94 percent) as well. Although Nash is turnover prone (3.9 turnovers per contest), his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.92 - a very impressive number. He will lead the Suns to title contention like Derek Jeter led the Yankees for the past decade - well except for that whole different sport thing.
Honorable Mentions: Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons; Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets; Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers; Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks; Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors.
Contact Joe Colombo
at Joseph.Colombo@UConn.edu.
2. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets: In a few years, Steve Nash and Paul will most likely be flip-flopped. It was unfortunate to see Chris Paul leave the late Skip Prosser and Wake Forest early - Prosser could have gotten him a little bit more NBA-ready. But it doesn't matter all too much, because Paul should be an all-star every year until he retires. Numbers the Demon Deacon has put up so far in his young career have been nothing but over-achieving. Paul was one rebound shy of a triple double against the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday, scoring 33 points, recording 12 dimes, and grabbing 9 boards. On top of these numbers, Paul had 3 steals and only 2 turnovers. Most importantly, this general led the Hornets to a win against one of the best teams in the league. Twice this season Paul has recorded more assists than points - including a 19 points, 21 assists performance early last month. At a 12-6 record, Paul is the reason why every team is scared of the Hornets again. The last time teams worried about the Hornets, Larry Johnson's purple Charlotte jersey was a hot item on the market.
1. Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns: Whether you look at the statistics or not, Nash is the best point guard in the league. He passes the ball like Cheech and Chong pass a - well, you know - very effectively … and very often. Nash can throw 20 assists on any given night, but you can't blame him for liking to score points, too. After the no-look passes and behind-the-back feeds to Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, this Canadian averages 18.9 points each night. Nash leads all point guards in field goal percentage (53.3), three-point shots made per contest (2.1), three-point field goal percentage (47.4), and assists per contest (11.4). He is third out of point guards in foul shooting (94 percent) as well. Although Nash is turnover prone (3.9 turnovers per contest), his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.92 - a very impressive number. He will lead the Suns to title contention like Derek Jeter led the Yankees for the past decade - well except for that whole different sport thing.
Honorable Mentions: Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons; Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets; Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers; Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks; Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors.
Contact Joe Colombo
at Joseph.Colombo@UConn.edu.
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