Chris Paul has become the fashionable player in the NBA. At 36 years old, one of the best point guards of recent decades seems to be beginning to find the recognition that has often been denied him due to his character or the absence of individual titles and awards on his record.

The base, who in 2017 signed a contract with the Rockets for 160 million dollars ("The worst we've seen in the world of sports," assured the owner of the franchise years later) seemed to have reached the end of the escape and He was singled out as one of those responsible for the double elimination of the Rockets against the Warriors in 2018 and 2019, and was also singled out as a toxic element in the Texan locker room and in his relationship with Harden. It seemed that the NBA had already seen the best of CP3.

Nothing is further from reality. The base still had many lessons to teach on the field. First in Oklahoma, where he managed to get a disenfranchised team into the playoffs. And this season in Phoenix where he has been able to take the Arizona franchise to the next level and make him one of the great powerhouses in the Wild West.

At the moment he has managed to get the team into the second round (something that has not happened since 2010) and is one step away from achieving passage to the Conference Finals with a total basketball and a leadership capacity beyond any doubt.

The point guard, who has refused to renew with the Suns for 44 million dollars and aspires to one last big contract, is establishing a chair in these playoffs with decisive numbers (27 points, eight assists and 67% from the triple) like those he signs in the last quarters of the series against the Nuggets: 10 points per game, 12 of 13 shooting from the field, eight assists...and zero turnovers. Figures that show the influence of a Paul whom many accused of being toxic and whose 41 million dollars per season have now become the great bargain in the NBA.

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Joel Embiid is the great figure of some Philadelphia 76ers who are already looking at the Eastern Finals after regaining home court advantage against the Atlanta Hawks. However, as decisive as the African center was Ben Simmons, who was able to take advantage of his greater size against Trae Young's defense and signed 18 points and seven essential assists for the victory of Doc Rivers' team.

One of the great weapons with which the Hawks can fight against the physical power of the Sixers are their shooters, but in the third game of the series the Georgians did not have their best day from the perimeter. Nate McMillan's team only made six of the 23 three-pointers he attempted. Especially failing were Gallinari (zero out of four) and Kevin Huerter (one out of five).

Aaron Gordon came to Denver as the player called to help Jokic take the Nuggets to the next level. However, in these playoffs, the former Magic player is not finding a way to help his leader, whom he left alone in the third game of the series. The power forward finished with four points (two of 10 shooting from the field) and four rebounds in 36 minutes. Little production for a player of his stature.

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