The 10 Most Valuable Players in 2010-11 post season so far - Part 3
4. Chris Paul
Chris Paul is a special player. Besides averaging a double-double in the playoffs, he is also the only player in the post season to average over 10 assists and 20 points.
When the New Orleans drew the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round play-off series, nobody gave them a chance. The two time-reigning NBA champions were expected to just roll over them. Perhaps people forgot that New Orleans still
had Chris Paul.
Chris Paul duly served a reminder, right at the very start.
A memorable game-1 saw a personal duel between Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. The legendary Lakers guard went to toe to toe with Chris as the duo traded shot after shot throughout the game. Kobe seemingly had the edge with 34 points
to Paul’s 33. However, Paul had the last laugh. Apart from his 33 points, he provided 14 assists and grabbed 7 rebounds as the Hornets stunned the Lakers and the world with a last minute win.
After seeing his team lose in the next two games, Paul had his revenge when he destroyed the Lakers in front of his home crowd in game-4. The New Orleans crowd watched in wondrous joy as Chris took over game-4 with a tremendous
triple-double. He scored 27 points, dished out 15 assists and grabbed 13 boards. Chris had drawn level in the series all by himself. He had put Kobe Bryant in the shade, and forced everyone to accept the New Orleans Hornets as a serious threat to Los Angeles.
Chris Paul and the Hornets eventually lost the series, but he still racked up great figures of 22 points and 11.5 assists per game.
3. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is once again leading the charge for the Dallas Mavericks, this post season. The veteran All-Star has played tremendously well for his team so far.
Dirk was stellar in the series against the Portland Trailblazers where he averaged over 27 points to put away Portland. Nowitzki has followed it up by averaging a double-double in the 2 wins against two-time reigning NBA champions,
the Los Angeles Lakers. He is the X-factor for his team as they continue their drive towards the summit.
The Lakers have found Nowitzki impossible to guard thus far. They have tried a variety of players but one-on-one, it is simply too hard a task to stop the 7-foot gentle giant from Germany. He has an unlimited array to shots and
he utilizes it to a devastating effect. How do you defend a 7-footer who can knock it down from downtown? The same guy can take it to the rim, pull up from mid court or hit a fade away that a defender just cannot reach.
Nowitzki has added to his game further this year by making the big shots when it counts. Dallas repeatedly put the ball in his hands when the game is on the line and he knocks down the shots with calmness, not seen in too many
of his contemporaries.
If Dirk keeps playing like this an NBA crown for him, and his team, cannot be far away.
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