Former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins does not believe Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul is top-five all-time player at his position.
Cousins, a free agent big man who spent his best years with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, went on Buckets’ Outta Pocket podcast in an episode scheduled to air this Friday and shared some strong views on Paul, the former Hornets, Clippers and Rockets point guard many revere as the best point guard in NBA history not named Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry or Isiah Thomas.
Cousins sparked the debate about top-five point guards himself and was asked if there’s someone who is frequently mentioned in the top-five he doesn’t feel belongs there.
“It’s Chris Paul,” he said with zero hesitation. “Every time I see a top-five PGs list, Chris Paul is in it and I’m not understanding why.
“No knock to CP, but strictly from accolades and performance standpoint, I don’t think Chris Paul is top five.”
Cousins went on to say he believes both ex-Nets head coach and former Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash and former Utah Jazz floor general John Stockton belong ahead of Paul on the list.
“All-time [leader in] assists, all-time [leader in] steals,” he said in defense of Stockton. “And nobody’s gonna break the record.
Cousins also mentioned another superstar point guard flying under the radar after consecutive shaky seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“We’ve gotta bring up Steve Nash [two MVPs]. We’ve gotta bring up John Stockton,” Cousins said. “And then we’ve gotta bring in [Russell Westbrook].”
Asked if he’s willing to put Westbrook above Paul, Cousins said: “I mean, he’s an MVP.”
Cousins then threw another name ahead of Paul.
“We’re going back to the list, top-five true point guards,” he said. “Rajon Rondo’s gotta be on the list.
“I don’t care if you don’t [love Rondo], I said what I said.”
Paul is widely revered as a leader and has been coveted every time he’s hit free agency or the trade market. At the height of his career, he averaged between 18 and 23 points to go with 10 assists per game.
Paul, however, will always be criticized because of his lack of team success. He has been to the NBA Finals once, and the Suns blew a 2-0 series lead, giving the Milwaukee Bucks their first NBA title in 50 years. Paul’s teams have largely failed to get out of the second round of the playoffs, though it’s unfair to pin that on one player.
Paul is averaging about 10 points, nine assists and five rebounds per game in his 18th NBA season.
