2012 London Olympics: LeBron James’ Heroics Delivers Gold to U.S.

A nation shared its proudness and appreciation Sunday. Basketball was MADE IN THE USA, after all. LeBron James, among all players, was the man of red, white and blue, representing the United States with a sense of pride and grace and led the U.S. to back-to-back Olympic gold medals. He, among all players, jumped for joy in celebration near the bench, wearing a widened smile as if he was a kid who opened a brand new Spalding basketball with MJ’s signature on it. As he led the Americans in the gold-medal game, he was entitled to jubilate with his U.S. teammates, he was entitled to laugh and crack jokes with the youngest one on the team, Anthony Davis.

The man who is the most polarizing figure is suddenly an American hero for restoring hope in U.S. basketball, for reducing the embarrassment of falling from grace in a game we originated, dominated, popularized, and then produced NBA’s finest studs to showcase a new era of talented stars. The man who is the most loathed player is suddenly a savior, a humble and unselfish human being. You don’t have to like him, no, but what he’s done for U.S. basketball is beyond incredible — it’s athletic brilliance and staying power. Maybe after he searched for U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline and greeted him with a hug, you perceive him differently. Maybe after he stood on the podium, aglow with pride, fighting back tears as the Star Spangled Banner belted out of the loudspeaker, you have gained more respect for James. Lauded in these games, he wrapped the American flag around his shoulders and sprinted a victory lap around the court, and then celebrated with the guys proudly and happily.

He didn’t just make the country proud — he escaped hatred, anger and antipathy as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. It marked the first time, since the megalomaniacal spectacle he televised to announce that he would be signing with the Miami Heat, that he’s pleased millions nationwide. It marked the first time, since he departed Cleveland abruptly to outrage most of the town, that he’s beautifully appreciated for an unpaid effort to compete for our country and be honored for healing America’s basketball woes. The dominance of the United States men’s basketball team, mainly because of James’ leadership and humility, has been profoundly crafty and unbeatable. With James on the U.S. side, the basketball program has risen to the top of the world again, built with NBA stars from a number of franchises that came together and contended against world-class athletes as the game is globalized. You may not love LeBron, but he loves you, willing to sacrifice his vacation months to represent this country in a respectful manner. That’s what he did this summer — unselfishly and willingly — and didn’t mind playing for his country. Before they partied in London, with gold medals hanging from their necks, James poured in 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a team-high four assists, all while he was in foul trouble.

So he finally smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had just done something good for America, where he’s despised and demonized because of jealousy or bitterness. But now, we can only send our thanks and bow to the King after his excellent performances throughout the tournament. There’s no doubt, just no doubt, that James would have been named the MVP in the Olympics, if such an honorable award existed. But in America, he’s clearly our Most Valuable Player, the global superstar we are impressed by and call our superhero. For James, the reigning NBA champion after winning his first title for the Miami Heat, he’s the iconic face of American sports, particularly for what he’s accomplished in these Olympics. And by no means were Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant underachievers in London, as the team almost featured a different star on a nightly basis.

Durant, meanwhile, scored 30 points and collected nine rebounds and Bryant scored 17 points. This time, respectfully so, the United States needed James in the fourth quarter. As time dwindled down in the final period — like he did last spring for the Heat — he came through when it counted the most to prove to the world that he’s a clutch performer. He carried Team USA on his shoulders, just as he carried the flag proudly when it all came to an end on the last day of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, a chance for the players to get to know one another as they came together as respected teammates. But most of all, even if you hate James, he did this for you, he did this for America, and he did this for me.

It’s about America, not LeBron. The absence of King James could have smudged Team USA’s gold-medal ambitions, but, of course, Krzyzewski lobbied for him to join Team USA and restore a winning personality internationally. We can make better sense of it, when perhaps James had the best fourth-quarter performance of the afternoon, silencing haters and doubters. It looks a lot like James isn’t selfish and egocentric, but a competitor who opted for a change of scenery and seized the opportunity to venture elsewhere to win a championship. The chosen one, the man of the fourth performed to hold off Spain late in the closing minutes. James basically rebranded U.S. basketball and repaired his bad-boy image. The nail-biting scare was when James took over, as the Americans coasted to a 107-100 victory.

The Spaniards tried to cut into a lead the U.S. owned, but down the stretch Chris Paul made a couple of baskets that extended the lead. The signature play happened when James drove to the lane for a dunk that gave the U.S. a 99-91 lead and put the icing on the cake. When Spain pulled within six points, LeBron was still playing aggressive, although he had four fouls, and responded by hitting a three-pointer that gave Team USA an eight-point advantage. At age 33, entering his 16th season, Bryant is still the best closer but isn’t as dominant. There’s the notion that Team USA could have taken home silver, if not for James, as the U.S. beat Spain by 11 points. In today’s game, LeBron is gradually stepping into the closer role in his prime, and four years from now in Rio, he’ll definitely be the star all eyes will be on.

The Americans are back to take back what was theirs at the Summer Olympics with the likes of Bryant, Paul, Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Deron Williams and James Harden, doing it without the presence of Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade.

But it’s about the USA and thanking James.

Chris Paul Trade Lifts Clippers Out of Lakers’ Shadows

It seems like everyone here in Los Angeles is talking about the Clippers, the other pro basketball franchise in town – the team in the shadows of purple and gold. The eugenicists in town are the people in the Clippers front office for building around superstar Blake Griffin to form a contender in the west as stars align in Hollywood under the shiny lights at Staples Center.

“I’m excited to be here in L.A. with this unbelievable franchise with so much history behind it,” Paul said. “Every one knows Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan signed his deal and my big brother, Chauncey Billups, who I’m excited to be playing alongside of. This is going to be an unbelievable experience.”

He’s a splashy acquisition, Chris Paul, and perhaps a ticket-seller for a franchise in competition with the town rival Lakers, who were in discussion to acquire the floor general. The folks, that is, except the diminutive Clippers faithful, were exasperated and vented on local radio stations to criticize commissioner David Stern. The owners were vindictive, stubborn and envy, and complained all night until Stern vetoed a deal that would have sent Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and a draft pick to the Hornets, and Pau Gasol to Houston.

If the NBA had not owned the Hornets, during trade talks that were handled on behalf of the league, then the deal would’ve never happened. Denied once, the co-chairman Jim Buss is making all the personnel decisions it seems, and rather than discuss a potential deal with the Magic that could have sent Andrew Bynum and Gasol to Orlando for Dwight Howard, he and general manager Mitch Kupchak pulled out of the Paul sweepstakes.

The other day, after the NBA had blocked the trade – snatching back an early Christmas present – the trade speculations veered on the Clippers side, essentially Lakers were blocked as the owners and league should be embarrassed and regretful, realizing that the people running the business screwed the high-market franchise in the entertainment capital. It was a poor choice that ruined the integrity of the game, not to mention the Lakers chances in retooling as a dominant force in the West, the favorites in a town where purple and gold is highly exalted. He is a star point guard, and had desired to contend for a championship with any team in contention.


The trade, in conjunction with a vow to solely bring a championship to Los Angeles in a Clippers uniform alongside the big man Griffin, was satisfying and the change of scenery that Paul needed to finally play for a title. With the Lakers’ failed attempt to land Paul and their much-publicized trade that sent Odom packing to Dallas, there’s no telling what direction the Lakers are going. This is a startling team, more terrifying than vampires and scary movies that give people the chills, or scarier than reading author Stephen King. The red carpet is rolled out in front of Staples Center as the Clippers have stolen the spotlight in L.A. by assembling a bona fide tandem with Griffin and now Paul on board.

“This is not my day, by the way. This is the Clippers’ day,” Paul said to a swarm of reporters. “This is a humbling experience, and I’m so grateful and thankful to be here.”

The sleepless nights, for a man who rarely had any sleep in the craziest week, have long past after the Clippers acquired Paul Wednesday in a blockbuster deal with a high price. This extreme Hollywood makeover outbid their in-town rivals, but it was a gamble dealing rising star guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round draft pick to the Hornets. It’s all part of what should be an intriguing season for the Clippers. This is enough to have Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant, who recently was upset over his team’s decision to trade Odom to the Dallas Mavericks for a first-round draft pick in 2012 and an $8.9 million trade exception, speak publicly and be petrified not sure which direction the franchise is headed right now.

Then again, he likely won’t be satisfied unless the Lakers pursue in trading for Howard but all talks are that he’ll stay in Orlando. It’s considered a gamble, but the Clippers are aiming to win NOW and they see a bright future with lobbed passes to Griffin from Paul, who contributed in the Hornets turnaround. The Clippers, a team that was in need of significant star power this offseason, finally built a team of ferocity and promise, a renewed rivalry with their neighbor’s in purple and gold.

He walked to the podium with his agent, Leon Rose, who contributed in completing the unforeseen deal, dressed in his black suit, crimson tie and matching socks at his introductory news conference in the Clippers practice facility Thursday. Odd as it sounds, the Clippers acquired Paul in a four-player trade with the Hornets, outsmarting and outmaneuvering the Lakers and other suitors involved in trade rumors.

“I believe in this organization,” Paul said. “I believe in the players here, and I want to win. I want to win now. I’m so tired of doing everything else. I want to play.”

So when the Clippers announced Wednesday evening that they had landed an All-Star player, greatly considered the NBA’s best point guard, the folks in parts of the town jumped on board and journeyed on a joyride to Clipper Nation, a campaign that swept the Southland not long ago. If there’s a believer and loyalty felt in a town, where fans of the most ridiculed franchise in basketball are minorities, it would be Darrell Bailey. The arrival of a priceless point guard purges the doom that separated the Clippers from the rest of the franchises, releases the misfortune and curses that flirted with the sentiment of torture.

This team was never worth an argument or in conversations to evenly contend or compared to the other L.A. team, out of one’s mind and neglected in a town that root like hell for purple and gold. No one screamed loud for the Clippers, unless you were Billy Crystal or Clipper Darrell. Make no mistake, this is a Lakers town. The deal, as the Clippers were suitors after bidding on a superstar when potential bidders were rejected of a proposed three-way trade, is a way for them to fight for supremacy against their crosstown rivals. The one argument which can be publicized at this point is that many of the bleak faces can turn into smiles as the Clippers are on verge of perhaps a promising future.

As in the dreadful past for many of ill-spirited fans that has had to bear with the circumstances of humiliating losses, ill-advised draft picks which became busts and the lawsuit filed by former longtime executive Elgin Baylor, the Clippers cleansed any turmoil that torn down the team’s image. The quirky owner Donald Sterling has suffered from the wrath of embarrassment by the way he ran his mismanaged business. But now, by moving aggressively in pursuing Paul, he looks like the smartest businessman as the Busses behave like egomaniacs. In other words, the Clippers are the winners, as the Lakers are losers.

The season looms in Southern California and the Lakers’ car flags on vehicles proudly waves, but Clipper Darrell is a die-hard Clippers fan and cruise the streets with his custom painted car in the team’s colors. This offseason, despite that the Clippers are the minorities in a basketball town, they are not only sharing the same building with the Lakers but they are battling for bragging rights and domination. Because the Clippers brought in an All-Star in his prime, arguably the league’s best floor general, fans of the most unsettled franchise in sports can attend every home game and witness awe-inspiring hoops from Griffin and Paul, a pair of NBA stars that changes the landscape.

He, like many players without a profound supporting cast, had planned to leave New Orleans after next season but it wasn’t certain to whether he’d be playing in a Clippers uniform, particularly when Paul wasn’t ecstatic about the league shooting down the proposed three-way deal that would have sent him to the Lakers. So the team that no one ever imagined made the biggest splash at the expense of the Lakers, the most undaunted move since the Clippers relocated to their crosstown antagonist’s backyard in 1985. The buzz is still prevalent, as few wondered after Paul and Clippers general manager Neil Olshey announced that he had made a long-term commitment to the team.

“Why did I make a long-term commitment? Because I believe in this organization,” Paul said.”

Welcome the newest member, CP3, to L.A., where he’ll be playing in the same town of two superstars Kobe and Griffin.

“He’s not here to jump on a lily pad for two seasons,” Olshey added. “He’s coming here to be a part of the future of the franchise. He wanted to know there were pieces in place that would be with him long-term and that was a part of this deal. … It gave me the confidence to know that if we get this guy here and continue to do the right things, they’re all going to be here for the future and long-term.”

The Lakers-Clippers rivalry is good for the NBA, as the Clippers might be the most exciting team in the NBA this season, an epic theater for a sport that almost lost an entire season during a chaotic lockout. The reality is, although it seems strange that the Clippers assembled vastly the most entertaining and deepest squad, they were lucky to obtain Paul when the league’s boneheaded decision to veto the trade stopped the Lakers. The first word that came out of Griffin’s mouth when Paul arrived was “Lob City!” he said excitedly, stunned as he walked off the bus on his cellphone after spending much of the afternoon touring Los Angeles.

Now the Lakers, by virtue of trading the most valuable player on the market to Dallas for nothing in return, are in need of a big-man and a point guard to retool their aging, sluggish franchise. For once, the Clippers are on the rise, ready to take the throne away from the Lakers. This team is younger, hungrier and deeper as the other team in L.A. is on decline. So, as Howard was floating in trade rumors, the Lakers failed attempt could doom a team of perplexing riddles in the end.

With little guarantee of the Clippers possibly shifting into playoff mode since Paul arrived, fans are excited and believe in red and blue. The home of the Lakers has also become the home of the Clippers. Ah, yes, they gave up their youth and future with the mentality that winning now is their intention, and were willing to send the young assassin Gordon on a one-way ticket out of town. Right now the Clippers are winners. But really, what is evident is that the Clippers have not gave away a lottery pick since trading Baron Davis to Cleveland in exchange for Mo Williams and cleared cap space.

The best argument we can think of is that the Clippers were trying to clear salary cap space again, and knew they couldn’t afford to pay Griffin, Paul and Gordon, whose rookie contract expires after the season and he will become an unrestricted free agent. And let’s face it, he would have even tested the market and signed for a long-term elsewhere had he still been with the Clippers.

The emergence is near. Paul is a Clipper. The current state of this franchise is scarier and maybe the greatest point guard/center combo in L.A. since Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabber.

Finally, Sterling can smile proudly from his Malibu home.

Are Elite Point Guards Needed For Playoff and Championship Success

Elite point guards are fun to watch because they can dictate the tempo of a game. With their ability to handle the basketball, drive to the hoop, shoot from the outside, and their solid defend.

Yet, is it a reality in the NBA that having an elite point guard isn't necessarily that beneficial for success in the playoffs?

Are role playing point guards the better fit for a team?

In the last 10 years the Los Angeles Lakers have won four championships, the San Antonio Spurs three, along with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons.

The starting point guards for those teams have been Derek Fisher, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Jason Williams, and Rajon Rondo.

Only Billups was considered as one of the better point guards in the league primarily for his ability to defend and hit big shots. What about the opponents in the Finals for the teams that won championships? Eric Snow, Jason Kidd, Fisher, Billups, Jason Terry, Snow, Rafer Alston, and Rondo.

Out of all the point guards on teams to make the Finals, Kidd and Billups were the only two that could be considered elite.

Starting with Derek Fisher, who has played 14 seasons including two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, a short time with Golden State Warriors, and a season with the Utah Jazz.



He's never been an elite point guard even though he's won five championship rings in his career. For his career he have averaged 9 points, 3.2 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, on 40.2 percent shooting, 37.3 percent from three, and 81.2 percent from the free throw line.

What has helped Fisher thought be part of teams that have gotten to the Finals as well as winning those five rings is his knack for clutch shooting and his ability to defend. Any scoring that Fisher did was just an added bonus for the Lakers.

The championship teams of the Lakers include the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza, and Pau Gasol.

For Tony Parker, it was a little bit different. He's not known for his defense, which is about average for a point guard. He was counted on as more of a change-up for the Spurs offense.

The reason is Parker is lightning quick and could lead the break very well for the Spurs. He allowed the team to run. He was the second leading scorer for the Spurs behind Tim Duncan.

In the three championship this decade for the Spurs, Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Bruce Bowen played major roles in the championships. With Jackson only being around for one of the championships.

Parker has averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, a steal, on 49 percent shooting, 31.2 percent from three, and 72.8 percent from the free throw line.



Another example of that is with the Boston Celtics and winning their championship this decade. The Celtics had Rondo who is a great defensive point arguably the best in the NBA right now.

Rondo, like Parker, was used more as a change of pace because of his athleticism. Rondo could get into the open court more easily than the likes of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce.

This is one of the reasons why Rondo is able to get to the rim so much. His major weakness though is his shooting from outside 12 feet. Rondo has one of the worst jumpers in the NBA, which was exploited in the Finals by the Lakers especially in game seven.

Rondo basically disappeared from the late first quarter until the closing minutes of the game. Rondo disappeared because Bryant had dared him to shoot from about 15 feet out and Rondo missed the shot badly.

When the Celtics won the championship, Rondo was the fourth option offensively. He helped get Pierce, Allen, and Garnett the best looks possible and he played his role extremely well that the Celtics were able to defeat the Lakers in six games.

In his young career so far Rondo has averaged 10.7 points, 6.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds, on 48.9 percent shooting, and 63 percent from the free throw line.

When the Miami Heat won the championship they had Jason Williams running the point. Again, a role player for the season and in the playoffs!



Williams in his career has been known for his flashiness and ability to set up teammates. That's what the Heat counted on him to do to help Dwyane Wade and O'Neal.

In his career, he has averaged 10.8 points, 6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, on 39.9 percent shooting, 32.8 percent from three, and 81.3 percent from the free throw line.

Billups the only elite guard to make the list that won a championship. It had less to do with his passing ability as a point guard but more to do with his defensive abilities and hitting clutch shots.

He also got help from Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace. The Pistons strength was its defense as the likes of Billups, Prince, and both Wallace's played huge roles in defeating the Lakers in five games.

Billups in his career has averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 assists, 3 rebounds, a steal, on 41.6 percent shooting, 38.8 percent from three, and 89.2 percent from the free throw line.

Again, on those championship teams and those Finals teams, there were no point guards by the name of Paul, Williams, or Nash.

Even looking at the 1990s when the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets combined for eight of the 10 championships, neither team had an elite point guard. The point guards on those teams were Steve Kerr, B.J. Armstrong, John Paxson, Kenny Smith, Sam Cassell, and Scott Brooks.



Bulls had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The Rockets was Hakeem Olajuwon. Yet, none of the point guards on the Bulls or Rockets were elite.

The two other teams that won championships in the decade were the Spurs and Lakers. The point guard again for the Lakers was Fisher and the point guard for the Spurs was Avery Johnson.

Fisher was a role player with O'Neal and Bryant leading the way. As was Johnson for the Spurs. The Spurs two most important players were David Robinson and Tim Duncan. However, Johnson came up huge for the Spurs because the New York Knicks were daring him to take 15 foot jumpers and he was making them.

The teams that made the Finals were the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Suns, Knicks, Magic, Supersonics, Jazz, and Pacers. As for the point guards on these teams they were elite in the 90s at least for most of the Finals appearances.

This list includes Magic Johnson, Terry Porter, John Stockton, Kevin Johnson, Greg Anthony, Penny Hardaway, Gary Payton, and Charlie Ward.


Of this group that got to the Finals, five of them were elite point guards and three were role players.

In the 70's, the 10 championship teams were the Milwaukee Bucks, Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Trail Blazers, Washington Bullets, and the Supersonics.



Of those teams, the point guards were Oscar Robertson, Flynn Robinson, Walt Frazier, Jo Jo White, Butch Beard, Lionel Hollins, Tom Henderson, Gus Williams, and Magic Johnson.

In the group, only Robertson, Frazier, and Johnson were elite point guards. The rest were role players for their respective teams.

The Celtics dominated in the 60's. Here's a look at the championship teams in the decade. Bob Cousy, K.C. Jones, Mal Graham, and Em Bryant. The 76ers and Knicks were the only two teams to win a championship in the 60's as well.

Point guards on those teams were Frazier and Wali Jones. Cousy in the first championship was elite but the following three seasons he became a role player. Jones was a role player, and Graham and Bryant were more of bench players than anything because John Havlicek could handle the ball for the Celtics.

For the 50's era, the Celtics started their dominance at the tail end of the decade.

The Minneapolis Lakers started out the NBA's first decade by winning three straight titles and four out of the first five. The Rochester Royals, Syracuse Nationals, Philadelphia Warriors, and the St. Louis Hawks twice also won championships.

For the teams their point guards were Slater Martin, Bobby Wanzer, George King, Jack George, Jack McMahon, and Cousy.



First decade in NBA history didn't see too many elite point guards.

Only two could be considered elite that won championships that was Cousy and George. Also during this time it truly was based on the dominance of big men with the likes of George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Pettit, and Bill Russell.

What do the last two decades prove?

It is beneficial to have a shooting guard that can handle the ball and make plays the chance of a championship is better. In the last 17 out of 20 seasons, the shooting guard was one of the best players on the team.

When a team had a big man, it was 15 out of 20 seasons that the center or power forward was one of, if not the best, player on the team that led the team to a championship.

For small forwards, 10/20 the small forwards was amongst the better players on the team.

Finally, for point guards only one out of the 20 seasons was there a point guard that could be considered elite amongst the best players to lead their team to a championship.

The reason why it has been difficult for a point guard to lead their team to a Finals appearance or championship is because of unselfishness. A point guard's primary responsibility is to distribute the ball first and score second. It's difficult for them to change their mindset to score first and then get teammates involved.



In the playoffs, defenses get tighter and are more willing to dare a point guard to score, which goes away from a point guards first instincts which is to get his teammates involved in the offense.

Yet, there's a reason why out of the position players, the shooting guard has been the most successful. A shooting guards main purpose is to score and pass second. The opposite of what a point guards responsibilities are and hence why the shooting guards have had more success.

Even going by the two teams being predicted to win the championship for the 2010-2011 season, neither team has an elite point guard. Both point guards on those teams are going to be role players.

If the last two decades are any indication of how the NBA has gone, elite point guards are not necessary for playoff success or for winning a championship.

The Bulls and Lakers combined over the last two decades have won a total of 11 championships without an elite point guard.

Original article can be found here http://bleacherreport.com/articles/441239-are-point-guards-really-needed-for-playoff-success-and-championships

New Orleans Hornets Can't Trade Chris Paul, but Need Some Hype

Even in the midst of diverting and mystic trade conversations in the offseason, as we quickly are absorbing the buzz of the developing news and stunning results transpiring in the NBA, all temptations and rebuilding motives are surrounding Chris Paul, an explosive point guard with the competitive intangibles.

He would be mentioned as a potential star that the New Orleans Hornets are tempted in shopping, when he has brought mirth to a disillusioned town considering his elite competency, transforming the landscape and formulating a nucleus. It’s easy to realize that the Hornets are foolishly pondering whether or not to trade away a prolific floor general elsewhere, dispatching a three-time All-Star and the best point guard in the league.

The reality for a buzzing storyline involving a star player who is the heart and soul of the Hornets marketing project and a franchise seeking to rebuild as a worthy contender, is a brainteaser at a stage when organizations are retooling and assembling in transitions to upgrade a lowly status. Yet the likelihood of Paul’s possible trade is very unlikely, even though all the talk has initiated much speculation.

The good news is that the Hornets front office has no intentions or urgency in dealing the centerpiece of their franchise. General manager Jeff Bower insisted that he’s listening to every offer, but declined any possible trades and rebuffed to elaborate which teams inquired.


For now, the Hornets deny moving the marquee star, an indication that he’s still a top ingredient for the team’s blueprint. This pacifies worried fans, now curious to know if he’ll remain in a Hornets’ uniform come next season. In the meantime, the spotlight eschews the LeBron-Watch with all regards hovering over Paul, the pleasing leader who transformed the dynamics since departing from the college game.

It dawns on the franchise that they’ll lose much and be deprived of re-situating a down season. It’s an unwise exchange anytime a team foolishly decides to sell the best guard with promising attributes in the next five seasons. It’s parallel of trading for an unproven player or trading in a vehicle for an entertainment system. That’s just silly.

The ongoing speculations have struck basketball fanatics, and materialize as front page news and steals headlines over LeBron James free-agency signing in a few more weeks. The Hornets have our attention and are being publicized more than they were during a futile season.

In other words, it’s polite to recognized a gifted athlete, despite a history of injuries that has left his incipient career less fluctuate than durable, affecting a dicey progress of Paul orchestrating balance and vigor.

For one thing, the Hornets clearly know that if they are persuaded, they will be trading a beneficial conductor who creates advantages for his teammates by running the floor and moving the ball with his exquisite mobility and agility. There are multiple scenarios to notice in his imposing activities on the court that he maneuvers, especially if he’s healthy and hasty in manipulating the emotions in a contest.

Although he hasn’t been satisfied with the personnel measures within a single-minded organization, Paul has handled his differences with maturity and never demanded a trade or singled out his superiors. If the Hornets trade its top star, it would be a regrettable mistake, knowing that traditionally, NBA big-names aren’t an equalizer in trade values.

Before he suffered injuries, Paul was a top-five guard in the league. But it doesn’t mean he’s useless or debilitated, even when he has had trouble rehabilitating from severe blows. This is a ripening specimen, a player the league hasn’t seen in a long time, mysteriously becoming a blockbuster name in the trading sweepstakes this summer.

It’s most telling that Orlando, New York, and New Jersey have contacted the Hornets expressing interest in the availability of a dominant force, regarding the special uplifting of CP3. It’s not stunning that the Magic are willing in shopping an ungoverned and ineffectiveness Jameer Nelson to New Orleans as well as a useless Vince Carter, who both were impotent in the postseason after faltering on basketball’s biggest stage.

There’s no questioning that he’ll fittingly improve the inferior Knicks in Madison Square Garden, when team president Donnie Walsh cleared salary space to pursue James once he becomes a free agent on July 1. If he happened to land in New York, Paul will release pressure off a developing core and be surrounded by a youthful tandem in David Lee and Danilo Gallinari. It’s even fitting that he could be on the trading block and on his way to the Meadowlands for New Jersey’s guard Devin Harris.

Either way, this is basketball’s biggest conversation this summer, along with the LeBron sweepstakes that continuously makes us guess of where he’ll land and sign his next signature.

At this moment, he’s the offseason magnet, when it appeared that Paul’s job status with the Hornets was intact and when it looked as if his availability was out of discussion for at least another three years.

But he’s still under contract for three years, which is worth $49 million with a player option in the final year, at $17.7 million. And if you thought the Hornets have forgotten about Paul averaging 19.4 points and 9.9 assists in his first four seasons in the league, think again. Although he missed the final 37 games with problematic knee and ankle injuries, the Hornets know what type of player they possess and would be mindless to sell him to a desperate NBA market.

By next season, he is expected to be fully robust and make a strong recovery, most likely in New Orleans, a place he likes to call home. But the Hornets are willing to entertain trade offers because of the prodigy of Darren Collison, a prosperous guard who filled in well and impressed everyone in a dazzling rookie season.

However, in reality, the first-rate star is Paul. And they are fools if they send the best point guard away.