2014 NBA Playoffs: Serge Ibaka to miss remainder of postseason due to calf injury

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka is expected to be shelved for the remainder of the postseason with a left calf injury sustained in Game 6 of the Thunder's second round series with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Ibaka hobbled off the court in the third quarter of Game 6, and did not return as the Thunder clinched the series with a 104-98 victory over the Clippers. Ibaka underwent an MRI on Friday, and the team proceeded to announce his status after learning of Serge's crippled state. 

The injury has been classified as a grade two strain of the plantaris, an injury that must be nursed carefully as it has a high reinjury probability according to OKC general manager Sam Presti.

In a statement issued by Presti, he stated the following: "We are obviously disappointed for Serge, as he is a tremendous competitor, and we know how badly he wants to be on the court with his teammates. At this point it is important that our team directs its concentration and energy towards preparation and execution for our upcoming series. As with all teams, our group has confronted different challenges. It is our collective experience that we will call on to ensure that we play to our capabilities."

A return to the Thunder is highly unlikely for Ibaka Presti announced on Friday evening in a conference call with reporters, providing the Thunder with a multitude of questions in the avenue of who their third legitimate scorer will be.

Last year, Oklahoma City was dealt a mammoth blow, as superstar Russell Westbrook was sidelined for the entire postseason with a torn meniscus in his right knee. This year is Ibaka, greatly slimming down the Thunder's chances of claiming victory against the Spurs in this series.

These injuries simply highlight the fragility of championship hopes, as one simple misstep or tweak can transform the brightest burning championship fire to an unanticipated flameout. 

Serge Ibaka was averaging 12.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 2.2 BPG through 13 playoff games. He also had a career year, posting highs in points with 15.1 a game and rebounds with 8.8 during the regular season. 

The Thunder will surely miss Ibaka and his intimidating interior defensive presence, as they attempt to slow down the sly and crafty Tony Parker and the extreme fundamentalist maneuvers of Tim Duncan. 

The Western Conference Finals begin on Monday in San Antonio, as Oklahoma City hopes to build on the fantastic regular season success it had against the Spurs.

The Thunder swept the season series 4-0 against the Spurs, who's 62 wins provided them with the best record in the league this year.


Does OKC still have a chance without Ibaka? Hit me on Twitter with thoughts and opinions (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society.

The Basketball Society's 2013-14 NBA Playoff Picks: Round 1

Finally, thankfully, after we waited for what seems like forever, the NBA Playoffs have returned. No more coasting, no more tanking, just pure fun basketball for 2 months. Here at The Basketball Society, we gathered a panel of our writers to make first round playoff picks in preparation for the big month+ ahead. Panel members were:

John Lava (twitter @JGBHoops)
BJ Boyer (twitter @wcboyer24)
Alex Fischbein (twitter @Sixers_RunWitUs)
Cyril Mpacko (twitter @Cee_Armel)
Martin Soaries (twitter @marley_mcfly)

PLUS - the NBA 2K14 (Xbox 360) video game's simulation of these playoffs for comparison.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Indiana Pacers (1) vs Atlanta Hawks (8)

Lava: Indiana in 4

Lava's Summary: This pick has nothing to do with what I think of the Pacers but everything to do with what I think of Atlanta. If Indy drops even one game to this team they clearly aren't very good. 

Boyer: Indiana in 6

Boyer's X-Factor: Roy Hibbert. This may be slightly predictable, but in the four regular season contests against the Hawks this season, Hibbert is averaging 5.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG on 28% FG. If Indiana wants to make quick work of Atlanta, Hibbert must be ready to dominate inside.

Fischbein: Indiana in 5
Fischbein's Analysis: If the Pacers were still playing the way they played in the beginning of the year I would say they'd win with a sweep, but they've had some pretty bad games at the end of this year.  The X-factor for the Pacers in this series is their defense.  Their defense is one of the best in the league and the Hawks won't be able to handle it.

Mpacko: Indiana in 7
Mpacko's Rundown: The Pacers got what they’ve wanted since last June, Homecourt advantage throughout the conference playoffs. What they do with it will ultimately be another story. On the surface the Pacers lucked out by avoiding the Charlotte Bobcats in first round and being paired with the Injury riddled Atlanta Hawks, who themselves have miraculously made the playoffs amidst a boatload of injuries and a late season push by the looming New York Knicks. I predict this series goes the distance. Why? The Pacers are a shell of their early season selves and the Hawks are playing with house money. Their GM even went out and stated that they didn’t want to be in the playoffs and they ended up in the playoffs. The Hawks have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on the Pacers this year. This series' X Factor is Roy Hibbert. Hibbert must rid himself of whatever funk he’s been in as of late for the Pacers to make a run similar to the one they made last year. His attention to detail must be at an all-time high for the Pacers to get out of this round unscathed.

Soaries: Indiana in 6
Soaries's Preview: The Pacers’ shaky play towards the end of the regular season might have some taking this series to a seventh game, which I may have concurred if Al Horford were healthy. Credit the Hawks, the only playoff team to finish under .500, for scrapping their way into the no. 8 seed that they wanted no parts of, but the pace and girth of the playoffs favors Indiana. X-factor: Kyle Korver – The Hawks hit 10.3 three-pointers per game in their four meetings, the second-highest average against the Pacers’ fourth-ranked three-point defense. Korver initiating momentum and putting pressure on Indiana from three might be their only chance to win some games.

NBA 2K14: Indiana in 5

Miami Heat (2) vs Charlotte Bobcats (7)

Lava: Miami in 4

Lava's Summary: Even though Charlotte is much better than Atlanta, they still don't have what it takes to match up with the Heat. Miami could sit Wade the whole series and still win (and with how much rest Wade has needed, maybe they should).

Boyer: Miami in 5

Boyer's X-Factor: Kemba Walker. If Charlotte has any hope of extending this series, the former UConn Huskie must assert himself. He may find it difficult to handle Miami's blitzing defensive scheme, but Walker has to find a way to combat this. In their four regular season meetings, Walker averaged 15 PPG on 38% from the field and 26.3% from downtown. He must be ready to help out Al Jefferson, especially if Big Al is bothered by his knee.

Fischbein: Miami in 5
Fischbein's Analysis: I'm going to give one game to Charlotte because I don't think anyone on the Miami roster can contain Al Jefferson.  Then, once you double team him the guards start to get open.  That being said, I still think the Heat are just too much for the Bobcats.  LeBron won't be losing in the first round.

Mpacko: Miami in 4
Mpacko's Rundown: In the Big 3 era, Miami is 15-0 against the Bobcats. The Bobcats who are in just their second postseason have honestly overachieved immensely this year. However the buck stops here. Miami is on a mission and will dispose of the Bobcats rather quickly. I predict a sweep. Charlotte must make more strides in the off-season to surround Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker with veteran guys and talent. All in all Mr. Jordan may be on to something in Charlotte. Greg Oden will be the key player for this series. The time has come to see how successful and realistic the Oden experiment will be/has been. He’s made it further than most would have predicted with only back spasms derailing his otherwise successful first season in what seems like a decade. He showed glimpses this season of why he was a former #1 pick. Now the Heat will count on him to contribute if they are to win it all.

Soaries: Miami in 4
Soaries's Preview: I thought about giving the Bobcats a game in this series, but ultimately I don’t think they can maintain their ideal pace and beat Miami with inside-out play for 48 minutes. At some point, the Heat will impose their will and put it out of reach, and when they don’t, they’re talent wins out in any potentially close scenarios. I foresee turnovers, big runs, and faint resistance. X-factor: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Competing with Miami requires formidable wing play on both ends. Kidd-Gilchrist will likely have the constant challenge of defending LeBron James, and offensively the Bobcats need him to be presentable and active when Al Jefferson inevitably faces double teams.

NBA 2K14: Miami in 6

Toronto Raptors (3) vs Brooklyn Nets (6)

Lava: Brooklyn in 6

Lava's Summary: The Nets are a hot upset pick, and with good reason as they have been one of the league's strongest teams in the past few months. Plus, we all want to see Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce match up with their hated Miami rivals one more time in round 2. If that happens, although Miami would probably win, it'll certainly be close.

Boyer: Brooklyn in 6

Boyer's X-Factor: Mirza Teletovic. Mirza is somewhat of an unheralded player, but his production could be huge for Brooklyn. His sharpshooting ability is what's most important, but he also spaces the floor allowing for more fluency in those isolations that Pierce, Johnson and Williams like to execute. If the Nets want to end this series quickly, they will need Mirza to knock down more than 23% of his threes, which is what he shot in four regular season meetings against the Raptors.

Fischbein: Brooklyn in 7
Fischbein's Analysis: This is another first round series that I'm looking forward to. The Nets have been playing a whole lot better after the all-star break and it looks like they could put it all together and make a little run.  The X-Factor for this series will be Paul Pierce.  He always raises his game in the post season and this year won't be any different.  The veteran experience on the Nets will outweigh the young legs of Toronto.

Mpacko: Brooklyn in 7
Mpacko's Rundown: This poses the trickiest matchup in the East. Both Toronto and Brooklyn are playing some great basketball as of late. Toronto has been consistent all year while Brooklyn overrode an early rough patch and at one point was the hottest team in the Association. They “purposely” avoided a first round tilt with the always overachieving Bulls. Terrence Ross may have added fuel to the fire with recent comments proclaiming that he wouldn’t mind playing Brooklyn in the first round so that he could work on his pick and roll offense. That hasn’t sat well with the Nets and a budding division rivalry may come out of this series. The series' X Factor is Mason Plumlee. I’ve been high on my man Mason pretty much all year. His insertion into the starting rotation coincided with the Nets meteoric rise in 2014. The kid gets after it on both ends (ask Lebron) and seems to finish anything you give him around the basket. The Nets will rely on him heavily to grow up in these next few weeks.

Soaries: Brooklyn in 7
Soaries's Preview: This series is up in the air for me, but I’m going with Brooklyn on depth, experience, and more trust in them winning on the road. I think they can win one of the first two in Toronto and take it from there. The Nets have shown they can beat anyone, and three out of their four meetings with the Raptors being decided by 4 points or less suggests these teams are evenly matched. I think Brooklyn has more to work with and more to depend on with their roster than the emerged Raptors. X-factors: Kyle Lowry, Kevin Garnett – The former because Brooklyn struggles defending guards in the pick and roll, and the latter because Brooklyn will need all of his energy and leadership.

NBA 2K14: Toronto in 7

Chicago Bulls (4) vs Washington Wizards (5)

Lava: Chicago in 6

Lava's Summary: Washington will be a tougher out than most people would think. John Wall and company will at least make this a tough matchup for the Bulls. But Chicago has the best coach and best player in the series, and ultimately that will win out.

Boyer: Chicago in 5

Boyer's X-Factor: Trevor Ariza. If Washington plans to steer this series in their favor, Ariza has to be ready to play stellar basketball. He's been sneaky good all season long, but hasn't been able to produce against the defensive minded Chicago Bulls. In 3 regular season meetings, Ariza averaged 7.3 PPG on 33.3% shooting. He shot a horrific 27.3% from downtown. He must be ready to produce, or Washington's taste of the postseason will be very bitter.

Fischbein: Chicago in 6
Fischbein's Analysis: This series should be a good one.  The Wizards have a pretty good team, but the Bulls solid defense won't allow the Wizards to do much.  The X-Factor will no doubt be Joakim Noah.  He's been doing it all this year and he's been the defensive leader as well.  The Wizards won't be getting any easy wins if Noah has a say in it.

Mpacko: Chicago in 6
Mpacko's Rundown: John Wall finally accomplished what we’ve asked of him his entire 4 year career. Lead a team to the playoffs. With a stable supporting cast of wily veterans as well as a quickly emerging 2 guard in the form of Bradley Beal, Wall and the Wizards will be a team on the rise for years to come. Wall’s first playoff appearance will be a tough one as he faces off against a team who has no reason to be there but always is; Tom Thibideau’s Chicago Bulls. Joakim Noah and the gang have once again shocked the basketball world will stellar play devoid of Derrick Rose. The Bulls will ultimately expose Washington’s inexperience and finish this series off in 6 games. The X Factor will be DJ Augustin. Augustin has picked up where Nate Robinson before left off. The diminutive lead guard has been everything that the Bulls have lacked in years past. Consistent offense off of the bench and then some. The shot he couldn’t get in Indiana, he’s run with in Chicago and with it has poised the Bulls to be the thorn in the side for the East’s other title contenders.

Soaries: Chicago in 6
Soaries's Preview: On paper I think this series actually favors the Wizards, but this pick came down to the discipline factor. I struggled because I think the Wizards’ offensive dynamism of John Wall and Bradley Beal plus strong front line of Nene and Marcin Gortat make for a reasonable challenge, but the Bulls are safer, better defensively, more trustworthy and experienced, and just might have the best playmaker on the floor in Joakim Noah. X-factor: John Wall – The Wizards have a chance to win this series if Wall is the best playmaker on the floor. He’s easily the most dangerous, but he’ll have to mature quickly as a decision maker to create steady offense for himself and others against the most disciplined defensive team in the NBA.

NBA 2K14: Chicago in 4

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio Spurs (1) vs Dallas Mavericks (8)

Lava: San Antonio in 5

Lava's Summary: One of my favorite NBA teams to watch should be able to advance to round 2 here. The Spurs would like nothing better than to avenge their loss to the Heat in last year's Finals, in one of the most hotly contested championship series in NBA history. The Mavs would just like to win this one series, but I just don't see it happening. While I think Dirk will win his team a game with an outstanding, vintage performance, this series will be more important for all the Dirk vs. Duncan nostalgia involved than for the actual basketball. The Spurs may have problems with a team from the south central United States in these playoffs, but it won't be the Mavs.

Boyer: San Antonio in 5

Boyer's X-Factor: Jose Calderone. If Dallas wants to cling onto to the hope of an upset, Jose has to step up on both sides of the ball. In the four regular season match ups between the teams, Calderone averaged 10 points and 3 assists all while shooting 36% from the field. His infamously horrific defense was in it's finest form, as he allowed Tony Parker to average 23.3 PPG on 54% from the floor along with 5.7 APG. Jose has to be able to contain Parker in some fashion, and if he struggles to do so on the defensive end, he must at least challenge Parker with strong and aggressive offensive play.

Fischbein: San Antonio in 5
Fischbein's Analysis: The basketball machine that is the Spurs will take this matchup.  Pop won't let his team lose in the first round.  My X-Factor for this series will be Patty Mills.  Mills is an underrated point guard, and he will be able to step up in an important situations.  He's got a shot that no one talks about and he's going to hit some big shots.

Mpacko: San Antonio in 5
Mpacko's Rundown: San Antonio is still fuming over game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. No team would want to be their first victim in the ’14 playoffs, in particular not the Dallas Mavericks who haven’t beaten the Spurs in almost 2 years. Dallas’s return to the playoffs is a good one however there will be no repeat of the run they made in 2011. The key player of this series will be Marco Belinelli. Marco must do what he was brought in to do. Shoot the 3 ball with efficiency. The reigning 3 Point Shootout champion will be another in a long line of spurs who contribute seemingly out of left field. His shooting will be key if the Spurs dream of returning to the Finals to finish the job they didn’t quite finish last season.

Soaries: San Antonio in 5
Soaries's Preview: This Mavericks team has an underrated stench about them, much thanks to what I felt was a proper acquisition in Monta Ellis, but I’m not sure I see the depth to induce a run similar to 2011. I think there’s a reason San Antonio won all four meetings this year, in which Dallas never even gained a lead in the first quarter: the Spurs are the better team. Mavericks get one game at home, probably Game 3. X-factors: Devin Harris, Vince Carter

NBA 2K14: San Antonio in 4

Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (7)

Lava: Oklahoma City in 7

Lava's Summary: This is gonna be one of those 7 game series where there's clearly a better team that ends up blowing out the other one in Game 7 but the other team steals a couple road wins early on. Memphis is very good, and they've seen a lot of buzz as the potential sleeper of this year's playoffs. They've just ran into the brick wall that is Kevin Durant. Tony Allen is a great defender, but whether he can guard this MVP version of Durant remains to be seen.

Boyer: Oklahoma City in 6

Boyer's X-Factor: Tayshuan Prince (and Memphis' defense.) If the Grizzlies have any hope of taking down the soon to be MVP and his cohorts, Tayshuan Prince has to play at a respectable level. That has been a tough task for the veteran this season, but a sniff of the postseason may aid him in snapping out of his lull. In the four regular season meetings between these two, Prince logged nearly 30 minutes per game, but only averaged 5.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG and 3.0 APG. He shot an abysmal 34.5% from the floor as well. In addition to Prince, Memphis defense needs to be solid because they have to guard... Well you know. 

Fischbein: Oklahoma City in 4
Fischbein's Analysis: Durant and the Thunder will be taking out the Grizzlies with a clean sweep.  This will be the only sweep of the first round.  KD will show the world why he deserves the MVP and he will go on a tear.  The X-Factor, however, will be Reggie Jackson.  The Sixth Man of the Year candidate will show why he's in the race for said award and come out with a fierce style of play.  He'll be the one to lead the bench scoring for the Thunder.  

Mpacko: Memphis in 6
Mpacko's Rundown: OKC’s dream season will once again come to an end at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis has been the one team in the west who seem to solve the Kevin Durant puzzle when it comes to the playoffs. Westbrook’s return will give the Thunder and Durant the much needed extra punched that was missed in last season’s second round battle. But the Thunder do not have an answer for neither Zach Randolph or Marc Gasol. The series X Factor is Tony Allen. Championship experience… Tony Allen is asked to do the impossible on a nightly basis. And he usually delivers. Allen will be given the task of bothering both Durant and Westbrook at various points and he will. As he has in the past with Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and others, Allen will do his best to limit the offensive production of OKC’s stars and help Memphis move on.

Soaries: Oklahoma City in 5
Soaries's Preview: Last year I picked Memphis to advance past a Westbrook-less Oklahoma City, which obviously happened, but Russell Westbrook is back, along with their glue guy Thabo Sefolosha, which puts the Thunder at full strength and simply too much offense for the Grizzlies to withstand. In his assumed first MVP season I expect to see Kevin Durant take this particular first round match up extremely seriously. X-factor: Russell Westbrook – Isn’t he always?

NBA 2K14: Oklahoma City in 5

Los Angeles Clippers (3) vs Golden State Warriors (6)

Lava: Golden State in 7

Lava's Summary: In my opinion this will be the closest series of the first round, with each game going down to the wire, much like the Grizzlies-Clippers battle from two years ago. Like that famed first round war, this series could feature the possibility of some minor fighting. The difference here will be that that was a defensive struggle, while this will be a showdown of two of the most exciting offenses in the league. Lob City vs. the Splash Brothers will be one of those series that gets even the most casual basketball fans excited with the all-offense style of play of these two teams. I say the Warriors sneak this one out in the end with fans from the Bay Area driving down the coast in massive numbers to negate the Clips' Game 7 home court advantage.

Boyer: Los Angeles in 7

Boyer's X-Factor: DEFENSE. In the four regular season games these teams played, they put up some remarkable numbers. Golden State averaged 107 PPG, shooting 46.8% from the field and 41.4% from three. The Clips averaged 108 PPG, and shot 47% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc. Whichever team can cripple their opposition with a string of strong defensive plays will emerge victorious in this series. Also, the Clippers have to improve on their three point accuracy. They attempted 22 three pointers in the four meetings, only connecting on 7. 

Fischbein: Los Angeles in 6
Fischbein's Analysis: Clippers will take this one in exciting fashion over 6 games.  Both teams play an uptempo style and it will make for quite an exciting series.  Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will, no doubt, hook up for numerous alley oops.  The X-Factor for this series will be Jamal Crawford, another great Sixth man.  He's going to lead the bench squad for LA and pick apart the Warriors.

Mpacko: Los Angeles in 6
Mpacko's Rundown: This serves to be the most exciting series of the first round from an offensive point of view. Both teams are better than they were last year, with the Clippers playing more efficiently under Doc Rivers than they ever did under Vinnie Del Negro; and the Warriors adding Andre Iguodala to shore up any perimeter defensive deficiencies they’ve had in years past. Andrew Bogut’s absence will be crucial for the Warriors. There is no love lost between these two teams as was shown in a few chippy games they had early on in the season. The Clippers are on too much of a mission to overlook the sharp shooting Warriors. If the Clippers do win, DeAndre Jordan will be a big reason why. Athletic freak and defensive presence, Jordan has made some solid offensive adjustments this season. The Clippers will need him to protect the paint and finish inside. If he can give them 10-15 points on a nightly basis, the Clippers will finish this series rather quickly.

Soaries: Los Angeles in 7
Soaries's Preview: Probably the most exciting and difficult first round match up of the playoffs is heightened by the fresh rivalry between these teams, meeting for the first time in the postseason. Golden State isn’t as tough internally without Andrew Bogut who loved to scuffle with the Clippers during the season. Like last year we’ll probably see Mark Jackson go small, which could be the difference maker, but I give Doc Rivers’ club the edge because I think they are a little more concerted defensively. X-factors: Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, and Draymond Green – The Warriors going small means it will be these guys creating mismatches for Mark Jackson, and if they can put pressure on the Clippers to guard on the perimeter, watch out.

NBA 2K14: Clippers in 5

Houston Rockets (4) vs Portland Trail Blazers (5)

Lava: Houston in 5
Lava's Summary: This series will give the Blazers a chance to prove that their late-season slump doesn't define them and that they truly are the team that started the season 24-5. The Rockets will be able to bring Dwight Howard back to round 2 of the playoffs and set up a match with in-state rivals San Antonio, a team they've been able to match up with pretty well in the past. I don't trust this Blazers team  to win four times against Houston, even as good as Portland has played in the past.

Boyer: Houston in 6

Boyer's X-Factor: Mo Williams. In the four regular season contests this season, Mo Williams was the only non starter to play more than 20 MPG for Portland. The Trailblazers don't have the strongest of second units, so Williams production is truly needed. His experience is also key, as this is Damian Lillard's first whiff of the postseason. Williams needs to step up his 10 PPG on 38.3% FG and 20% 3PT FG if Portland plans on knocking off Houston. 

Fischbein: Portland in 6
Fischbein's Analysis: While Harden and Howard will be quite the duo in this series it just won't be enough.  The X-Factor in this series will be Nicolas Batum.  Lillard and Aldridge will both be huge parts in their win, but Batum can do everything well.  Batum will be able to play efficient basketball and be the outlet when Lillard and Aldridge start to be keyed on.

Mpacko: Houston in 6
Mpacko's Rundown: Damian Lillard vs. Patrick Beverley. The point guard battle will be a good one. Beverley has been a nuisance for many opposing guards since his ascension. Lillard the soft-spoken but lethal lead guard will be tested, as will his team. The rockets have too much on the plate for the Blazers to ultimately chew. The series X Factor will be Dwight Howard. Howard must dominate his matchup with Robin Lopez/LaMarcus Aldridge. Dwight must tap into his Orlando roots for Houston to make a run this post season. If Dwight can give Harden and the Rockets 25 and 14 a night Houston could be a scary out for everyone in the West.

Soaries: Houston in 7
Soaries's Preview: This has potential to be a shoot out of a first round series being that the average score of their four regular season games was 116-110, but it seems like the Rockets have earned their edge against the young upcoming Trail Blazers. James Harden averaged 30 points/7 rebounds/5 assists and Dwight Howard’s numbers are 25 points/13 rebounds against Portland this season. X-factors: Patrick Beverly, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews – Beverly will be tasked with defending Damian Lillard, while Matthews and Batum will be looking to slow down James Harden. Whoever is more successful in their efforts is likely to be on the winning team.

NBA 2K14: Portland in 6

Bonus: Full 2K14 simulation:

Top 5 Active NBA Point Guards- #1

1. Chris Paul 

When it comes to floor generals, Chris Paul is the don-dadda, the cream of the crop and the alpha male. Paul's dominance is not restricted to just one position, as he's not only the league's best point guard, but also one of the league's best players.

Many try to discredit Paul by claiming he hasn't enjoyed much postseason success, but there is still an abundance of time left in the 29 year old's career to truly assert himself as a legendary figure when it comes to point guards. Paul may not have the championship rings of Tony Parker, or the Finals experience of Rajon Rondo, but he does possess talent that surpasses both of those guards.

Paul is averaging 19.1 PPG, 10.7 APG which is tops in the NBA and 4.3 RPG. He shoots 46.7% from the floor and 36.8% from downtown. He's 6th in scoring among PG's and 3rd in FG%. Paul is 6th in PER league wide 25.9, which makes him the highest rated point guard in this category.

He also leads the league in steals per game at 2.48. CP3 has 39 double-double's this season, which is 1st among point guards and 10 more than second place guard John Wall. Also, his 11 double-double's at the beginning of the season tied Magic Johnson's record of most double-double's to start a season.

What's most remarkable is the discipline Chris Paul displays when the ball is in his hands. He has 663 assists in only 62 games which places him 4th among point guards. The three guards ahead of him all have 220 turnovers or more, with two of them turning over the ball 290+ times. Paul isn't even top 20 in turnovers among the league as a whole.

Obviously, Paul has only participated in 62 contests due to injury, and if he had been able to play the entire season his turnover numbers would be higher, but this is still a remarkable feat.

With numbers such as these, CP3 has the highest assist to turnover ratio in the league (4.57) which is absolutely outrageous. The next highest is Pablo Prigioni at 3.88, but he only logs 19.5 MPG, compared to Paul's 35.

 Paul possess some of the best handles in the NBA. His crossovers are speedy, his dribbles effective and his overall orchestration of the offense is a thing of beauty. Obviously Blake Griffin's emergence lifts some of the heavy offensive burden off of Paul's shoulders, but make no mistake, he slings the rock and shares the wealth unlike anyone else.

Paul leads the league in assist percentage at 48.8% and he creates the most points a game with his assists at 24.5 a game. Add this with the 19.1 PPG he scores a game, and CP3 is single handily responsible for 43.6 PPG for Los Angeles.

He's an offensive force at the point guard position that's not to be dealt with, as Paul's talents allow him to carve up the toughest defenses on a nightly basis. He's a dual threat, as he can provide the Clippers with a much needed scoring punch, or simply rip a defensive scheme to shreds with precise and crisp ball movement.

Statistics illustrate Paul's wizardry on the offensive end perfectly, as he's 2nd in offensive rating (124.7,) 6th in offensive win shares (9.1,) and 7th in total win shares (12.3.) No surprise, that Paul maintains the league's most potent offense as LAC leads the league in PPG at 108. He has 23 games with 12 assists or more, including a 42 point, 15 assist triumph against Golden State and a 34 point, 16 assist, 6 steal showing against Portland.

Unlike some players, who just dabble in dominance on the offensive end, Paul has the ability to extend his terror to the defensive side of the ball as well. In addition to leading the league in steals per game, CP is second in steal percentage at 3.5% and his defensive win shares sit nicely at 3.2.

From a physicality standpoint, the former Wake Forest star isn't the most intimidating match up, but his steady stream of trash talk and the Clippers high octane attack can frustrate opponents who aren't completely emotionally stable. This forces certain players into mistakes or even confrontations that can result in the assessment of technical fouls or even an ejection.

Paul plays the passing lanes very well, and when he's fired up he will really get engaged defensively and take it personally to stop the opposition from finding any success or rhythm offensively. Paul's constant barking on both ends is an attempt to rectify any and all mistakes the Clippers may make. He's a coach on the floor, and a fantastic leader, which are the most important traits a point guard must possess. This is why Paul flourishes so much, and why his teammates enjoy playing with him.

Paul's leadership tactics are incredible, as he plugs everyone into their comfort zone, allowing them to prosper to the highest degree possible. He listens, he communicates and he dictates the entire flow of the game to favor his team. He's made numerous players better, and continues to do so as his intensity and dedication rubs off on others. Blake Griffin has risen as one of the league's best players this year, and a huge reason for him elevating his game is Chris Paul.

Paul constantly chirps about winning, his championship aspirations and holding everyone to a certain standard of excellence. Loafing and coasting will not be tolerated, and although annoyed at times, Griffin realized he must improve to truly help Paul and the Clippers hunt down a championship. The pressure on Griffin was immense, yet he worked on his game and rose to the occasion.

Pressure in the NBA simply means you have untapped potential. Potential to impact a team so significantly that it may be the difference between bathing in championship success, or drowning in the murky waters of defeat. Simply put, pressure means greatness potentially awaits.

The pressure is on the Clippers this postseason, as they hope an improved roster, coaching staff and Griffin is enough to push them to the top. Having the best point guard in the league certainly helps as when thinking of floor generals, Chris Paul is considered the best. He is the mantle and there is absolutely no debating this.


Is Chris Paul the league's BEST point guard? If not, who is? Did you agree with my rankings? Share thoughts and opinions with me on Twitter (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society. 

Top 5 Active NBA Point Guards- #4

4. Stephen Curry 

With his speedy release and silky smooth ball handling ability, fans have become infatuated with watching Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry perform on a highly basis. Curry softens the most hardened of defenses with seemingly impossible three point makes, that mirror the ones you may see in a game of NBA2K14. Defenses become incensed when Curry is drilling the shots they are begging him to take, and the Oracle Arena crowd is sent into a frenzy, as Stephen puts on a circus act with unimaginable three point precision. 

For Steph, the most celebrated aspect of his game may be his accuracy from behind the arc, but he's becoming a well rounded player that has kept GSW's hopes of a deep playoff run intact despite the plethora of injuries the team has endured. The desired starting lineup of Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Lee and Bogut have only played a total of 43 games together, as each player has been attempting to cope with nagging injuries. Curry has played the most amount of games out of those aforementioned players, competing in 76 games, only second to Klay Thompson's participation in 78 contests. 

For Curry this is impressive, as he's dealt with his fare share of injuries to his ankles throughout his early career. The sign of durability and dependability is encouraging for GSW as well, knowing they can depend on a top tier point guard to always be at their disposal against the stiffest of competition. With a roster that bolsters as much talent as the Dubs do on paper, the 6th seed seems to be somewhat disappointing, but all of the injuries could've had them in a much more unfortunate position. 

Golden State can move up before next Saturday's playoffs commence, but to do so they will need some luck and or a some virtuoso performances from Stephen Curry. The performances don't seem to be an issue, as Curry led GSW on Friday with 30 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in only 35 minutes of work against the lowly Los Angeles Lakers.

On the season, Curry is averaging 23.6 PPG (career high,) 8.5 APG (career high,) and 4.3 RPG. The former Davidson Wildcat is shooting 47% from the field and 42% from three showing that consistency is highly in his favor. His usage rate is as high as it's ever been (28.2 up from 26.4 last year) but Golden State is content with this, as Curry has delivered time and time again for the championship hungry team. 

In statistics among point guards, Curry is 1st in scoring, 4th in rebounds, 2nd in FGM and FG%, 6th in assists and 3rd in double-doubles with 27, which includes 4 triple-doubles. Curry is 7th in scoring amongst all players, and his 247 three point field goal makes can be accredited to this. Curry is more than a 3 point specialist, but drilling bombs from beyond the arc is what he does better than anyone else, and this is what makes him incredibly lethal. From the 5 major three point areas on the court (right corner, right wing, straight ahead, left wing, left corner,) Curry is shooting 37% or better from each area. Omit the right corner, and Curry is shooting above 40% from all of the other spots. 

Curry also thrives in crunch time, as his performances in the clutch place him statistically as one of the top clutch players in the league. In the 38 games that have produced "crunch time" Curry is averaging 3.4 PPG which is 6th among qualifying players. He's shooting an 41% in these situations, higher than the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. 

On pull-up jumpers, Curry is shooting 60% from the floor. On step-back jump shots, Steph is shooting 65% from the field. This is remarkable, as most defenses would be content with a player having to consistently knock down a shot of that nature. With a player of Curry's caliber, defenses are forced to adjust accordingly, and just when they do so, Curry uses his wizard like ball handling ability and craftiness to get others involved along with creating for himself.

Curry is averaging a career high in assists, as he's grown more comfortable with playing the point guard position. His assists have generated 1,440 points the highest of his career and 259 more points than last year. He is averaging nearly 4 turnovers per game, (3.8,) but the climb in that figure shouldn't be too surprising as it was mentioned before that Curry's usage rate has increased. If Golden State wants to shake things up in the western conference, Steph has to devote himself to having that turnover per game number shrink when the playoffs begin.

Steph is able to slice and dice through the defense when they attempt to take away his air space, as his sly and quick movements allow him for effective and deadly penetration. He can dump it off to one of his talented bigs for a layup or dunk, or sling it out to the other "Splash Brother," Klay Thompson for a three point bomb. Curry is playing calm, cool and collected basketball and he hopes to lead Golden State on a furious run in the postseason. With a win in Portland tonight, the Warriors will have their first 50 win season since 1993-1994. Curry would've only been 6 years old. The 26 year old hopes to cement his own legacy in GSW, as that passionate fan base yearns for a major accomplishment. 

If anyone can bring these accomplishments it's Curry. He's recognized as one of the leagues top point guards and players, but to truly become respected he must generate some type of postseason success for the Dubs. Right now would be a fantastic time to start, and if a surprising deep postseason run occurs for GSW, Curry could easily find himself moving up on this list. 

*All statistics were researched BEFORE GSW's game against Portland on Sunday.
*Steph Curry is the first player to make 250 three's in multiple seasons

Do you think Stephen Curry is a top 5 point guard in the NBA? Should he be ranked higher or lower? Hit me on Twitter with thoughts (@wcboyer24) and remember to continue to support The Basketball Society.