Chris Paul was in peak form during Sunday night’s All-Star Game.
He was throwing lobs, hitting threes and even shocking social media by throwing down a two-handed slam.
But he was also playing defense (and fouling to stop fast breaks), something that hasn’t always gone hand-in-hand with All-Star Games in the past.
On Sunday, Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 in a thrilling finish (even if it did end on free throws), thanks in part of the new Elam Ending that was instituted by the NBA this year, a change that was suggested by Paul.
Team LeBron entered the fourth quarter trailing by nine, meaning they had some ground to make up to get to the target number of 157 first.
Frank Vogel, who coached Team LeBron, told SB Nation that Paul was a big part of the comeback.
“He told me early in the day that he wasn’t one of those vets that just likes to take a rest in a game like this, that he wants to come in and win a game and help our guys win a game. All the young guys throughout the course of the game, every time they made a mistake or didn’t play defense, he was yelling at them. So he got us — not only got us to the finish line but also provided great leadership and some big plays in that fourth quarter down the stretch.”
Paul scored a career-best 23 points in his 10th All-Star appearance, making a compelling case for the inaugural Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award, which ultimately went to Kawhi Leonard.
.@CP3 is on 🔥
23 points. 8-11 FG (7-9 from 3PT) pic.twitter.com/uHatOZbLIN
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 17, 2020
According to SB Nation, Paul ended Sunday with a “game-high offensive rating of 192.5”. To go along with his 23 points, Paul also dished out six assists, “just 15 below Magic Johnson for the all-time All-Star Game lead”.
It was Paul’s first All-Star Game since the 2015-16 season. He said during media day Saturday that being selected to the All-Star game is “always something special” and something he “never takes for granted”.