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Should Chris Paul Play Again This Season?

Over the last few weeks, it's become increasingly apparent that CP will likely be "physically capable" of playing by the end of the season. He resumed limited practice on March 12th, and knowing his injury recovery history, the speedy comeback isn't too surprising.

So we know he can and almost certainly will play, but is it the right decision?

For one, the playoffs are a pipe dream. The Hornets are most certainly a playoff team with Paul; they were 25-21 when he went down, and those were the days when Buckets was still Lil and David West was anything but an X-factor. But now, they're 8 games out of 8th, with a mere 15 games to play. They'd need to jump divisional rivals Memphis and Houston, in addition to either San Antonio or Portland. Last year, the eighth seed Utah posted 48 wins to get in. Portland would need to simply go 7-6 to reach that mark; the Hornets would need to run the table.

Those are long, long odds. (Alternate line: Playoffs? Playoffs? Playoffs?)

Star-divide

The only other serious reason I could see to bringing Paul back? A 10 game showcase, if the Hornets want to move him in the off-season. 10 dominant games proving that he's back. A summer trade is something the front office has surely pondered, and 10 healthy games would surely restore any damage his stock has taken. Ultimately, I really, really, really hope this is not a motivating factor. The "trade Paul" crowd (which, from what I can tell, is entirely composed of non-Hornet fans) is wrong because (a) Darren Collison is terrific, but like every other point guard in the league, nowhere close to the class of CP and (b) there's never fair value in trades involving players of the class of LeBron, Dwight, or Paul.

So should he play again this year? If the decision is influenced by any external factor, be it the playoffs, trade showcasing, or anything else, then no. But if his knee truly is better and he's ready for game speed? Sign me up because it's been way too long.

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If Paul wants to get his legs going again

I am all for it…especially if we are in the playoffs

If not, so be it

Either way, we either wont make the playoffs or WILL make them and will be out shortly

by Alious on Mar 15, 2010 12:56 AM CDT reply actions  

Yeah

I just hope he doesn’t come back early and aggravate it. That would definitely be the worst case

by Rohan on Mar 15, 2010 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

Ahh man I truly don't know...

The sensible answer is, no hold him back from playing. But I am sick of this Hornets team. I need me some Chris Paul and I don’t care if we are last in the West we need him back.

On one condition. He MUST be healthy. No doubt he would only come back if he were healthy. But CP has had a lot of injuries since that magical season that seems a decade ago.

Screw it! I want me some CP.

Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003

by Grayson on Mar 15, 2010 6:07 AM CDT reply actions  

Two things...

1. I think I agree with everyone else in this forum that Paul playing on anything less than 100% health would be a monumentally dumb move. Even if they were shopping him around.

2. I am not of the trade CP camp, though I do know some Hornets fans who are. To them, I typically say that the CP/Thornton/Collison backcourt could be a nearly unstoppable triumvirate for years to come, and that moving DX and/or Mek would make way more sense for “rebuilding”/“re-aligning” purposes (I tend to think the CP/DX partnership may have yielded its best fruit, and Mek—while good— is replaceable).

by hldomingue on Mar 15, 2010 1:50 PM CDT reply actions  

Rest him...

at least next year, we can unload Mo Pete and Peja’s expiring contracts!!!!

With the 32nd pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints take... The suspense is killing me!

by tlsk1066 on Mar 15, 2010 5:26 PM CDT reply actions  

Chris loves basketball.

And it’s his job. Echoing the above, don’t rush back, but if he’s ready, let’s do it. Basketball fans everywhere deserve it.

by m-W on Mar 15, 2010 9:36 PM CDT reply actions  

Give him rest!

I picked up Collison in my fantasy league and would LOVE to ride Darren as long as possible. If Chris Paul comes back, I have to start Andre Miller or John Salmons. I like the look of 13 more nice suits for CP3 the rest of the way.

Collison has been a STUD fantasy baller !!!!!!

There is NO way the hornets make the playoffs this year even if they went 13-0!!! Portland would have to finish 5-8

San Antonio is 4-0 against NO this year and would need to finish 5-11.

Again, BOTH scenarios are NO winning 13 in a row and running the table, NOT! Their best winning streak this year is 6 games.

by DAC DIGGLER on Mar 18, 2010 4:34 PM CDT reply actions  

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