New Orleans Pelicans All-Time Team: Starting Point Guard

Jan 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard

(3) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Clippers 108-103. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Brendon (@zimmerguy4): Chris Paul

The franchise’s path changed forever when they drafted Chris Paul fourth overall in 2005. The team made the playoffs in his third, fourth and fifth years as a part of the team, and even made a conference semifinals appearance in that first year. The man averaged 19 points and 10 assists a game with a 50% effective field goal percentage during his time in Oklahoma City and New Orleans. He brought the franchise a Rookie of the Year Award, four All-Star and one All-Defense selection, and three All-NBA selections.

As a fan of the Hornets/Pellies, though, two things come to mind when one thinks of Paul’s time with the team. First is this game, and the entire series, as Paul brought an underwhelming team within two games of the Western Conference Finals:

The second is the trade away from the franchise, which brought back Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon, and Al-Farouq Aminu, and most would agree it could and should have been more (except maybe David Stern).

Next: Charles' Choice