Few debates in sports stir as much passion as those centered on the greatest players of all time—especially in the NBA, where discussions often drill down to position-specific rankings. The latest flashpoint comes from ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who surprised many by leaving Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul off his all-time top 10 list of point guards.
Chris Paul, widely known as the “Point God,” has long been regarded as one of the smartest and most effective floor generals in league history. But Perkins, who once competed against Paul in AAU and later faced him in the NBA, believes CP3 falls just outside the top tier. On a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins said Paul lands somewhere between 11th and 15th on his personal list.
While Perkins didn’t offer a full rundown of who ranks ahead of Paul, he did make one comparison clear: Russell Westbrook, the former Oklahoma City Thunder star, sits higher in his eyes. “I don’t have CP3 ranked above Russell Westbrook,” Perkins stated.
“Like CP3 does a lot of things—changes franchises, wins a lot of games? Yes, absolutely. But when it comes to rankings, you’ve got to check those boxes and you’ve got to have the accolades.”
Why does Perkins rank Westbrook over Paul?
For Perkins, it’s simple. Westbrook’s MVP season and his historic triple-double feats carry major weight. The Phoenix Suns came within two wins of the 2021 NBA title with Paul leading the way, but the Milwaukee Bucks stormed back with four straight victories. Meanwhile, Westbrook and the Thunder also reached the Finals in 2012, taking Game 1 before dropping four straight to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
“Much love, much respect. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer,” said Perkins. “He’s just a Top 15 greatest point guard of all time in my eyes. He’s not in the Top 10.” Perhaps the biggest edge Westbrook holds in Perkins’ view is his 2017 MVP award—the highest individual honor in the league. He’s also the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, with 203. That said, some wonder if Perkins’ perspective is influenced by the four seasons he spent as Westbrook’s teammate in Oklahoma City from 2011 to 2015.
Still, Paul’s résumé is far from lacking. The Clippers’ veteran has 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA nods, and 9 All-Defensive Team honors. He also took home All-Star Game MVP in 2013. Statistically and historically, those accolades surpass much of what Westbrook has achieved.
What remains unclear is which additional milestones Perkins expects from Paul—aside from a championship or regular-season MVP. Regardless of the debate, Paul’s legacy as one of the most cerebral and impactful point guards in NBA history remains firmly intact.