Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul appeared on some NBA voters ballots for MVP despite statistical averages that, on paper, look too low for that award.
To get a sense of how important Paul was to the Thunder, it’s important to look at the on-off numbers.
Paul had the best on-off net rating in the entire league, which shows the difference in team success from when he’s on the court versus off.
His rating of 13.4 edged out that of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 13.0, according to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who is thought to be one of the two MVP possibilities alongside Antetokounmpo, is tied for seventh with a rating of 10.4.
Chris Paul has won another on-off championship. pic.twitter.com/V4VBp7ART5
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 15, 2020
Specifically on offense, Paul is tied with Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker for third in on-off rating at 15.2 — the Thunder had a 114.0 offensive rating when Paul played, but a 98.8 rating when he was off the court.
That rating on offense wasn’t the best of all Thunder players, though. Forward Danilo Gallinari had the best offensive on-off numbers this year with a rating of 16.6.
Guard Shai Gilgous-Alexander was one spot below Paul, with an 11.8 rating.
Biggest on-off differentials on offense (team’s points scored per 100 possessions)…
1. D. Gallinari – 16.6
2. T. Young – 15.5
3. D. Booker – 15.2
3. Chris Paul – 15.2
5. S. Gilgeous-Alexander – 11.8
6. S. Dinwiddie – 11.5
6. K. Towns – 11.5
8. D. Graham – 10.3— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 15, 2020
What allowed Paul to stand out over the guards on this list was his defense. Booker and Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young are deadly on offense, but neither played good defense this season.
Paul may not be the all-world defender he used to be, but he’s still very capable and very smart on that end.
Two Oklahoma City players appeared on the on-off defense list.
Dennis Schroder was the second-best. The team’s defensive rating was 8.8 points better when he was on the court.
Tied for seventh was Darius Bazley, whose on-off differential was 7.4.
Biggest on-off differentials on defense (team’s points allowed per 100 possessions)…
1. I.Bonga: -10.3
2. D.Schroder: -8.8
3. J.Embiid: -8.5
4. G.Antetokounmpo: -7.7
4. K.Bazemore (POR): -7.7
4. M.Gasol: -7.7
7. P.Millsap: -7.4
7. D.Bazley: -7.4— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 15, 2020
With five different players who have some of the best ratings in the league, the Thunder hope to use this depth to help them against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
