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Mid-Week Matchup: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 3, 2017 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Shane Bevel/NBAE via Getty Images)
TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 3, 2017 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Shane Bevel/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point Guard: Chris Paul vs. Jeff Teague

Chris Paul has done enough in his 12-year career to be a favorite against most of the point guards in the NBA. He has never averaged less than 15 points per game in a season. Paul has averaged 10+ assists nine times in his career and had nine four other years. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon has led the league in assists per game four years and has the most assists per game of any active player.

The former Hornet and Clipper is even better on the other side of the court. The nine-time NBA All-defensive team member (seven-time first team and two-time second team) is well-known for steals. Over his almost certainly Hall Of Fame career, it has been incredibly tough when you see him staring you down as you walk down the court. Paul has led the NBA in steals per game six times, steal percentage four times and total steals five years. Oh, and by the way, he is the leader among active players in all those categories.

One more stat on CP3 that will show you how great he really is. According to Basketball-Reference.com, through the first eight years of his career, Paul either passed or tied the great Magic Johnson in terms of win shares at the same point in his career. Yes, THAT Magic Johnson. The one who is, among most NBA fans, a top three player all time. No matter what your feelings are on Paul, that is incredibly impressive.

Speaking of similarities, Paul and the new Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague have looked similar on offense. Specifically, in the pick and roll.

When you put their numbers side by side from last season they stack up pretty closely. They were within .02 point per possession, while Paul has a .9 point per game lead. CP3 has the higher field goal percentage at 47.7 percent while Teague follows closely at 44.9 percent. Even though the Rocket floor general leads in those categories, the new Wolf takes the cake in terms of percentile with an 86th to 83rd advantage.

Part of those impressive numbers is due to the weapons they work with. Teague has worked with Al Horford, Myles Turner, and now Karl Anthony Towns. Paul has had two great players to work with the last six seasons in Los Angeles: Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

With all that being said, I have to give the nod to the longevity and consistent performance of Chris Paul

Advantage: Chris Paul

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