Still say Chris Paul is better than Derrick Rose?

At the start of the season, the vast majority of this board said that Chris Paul was better than Derrick Rose because he is the more complete player.  My argument was that Rose was bigger and just has a greater impact on a game. 

What are you guys saying now.  Personally, I don't care if Paul averages one more assist per game or the fact that he is a better individual defender.  As much energy as Rose exerts on offense, the Bulls don't need him to be a great defender, as Tom Thibodeau emphasizes team defense.  Really, the Bulls don't have any one great man-to-man defender.  There isn't any remaining doubt the Paul's second option, Blake Griffin, is better than anyone Rose has on the Bulls.  Yet, the Bulls are elite and the Clippers are just another team in a pack of Western Conference contenders.

If you're team needs a bucket, Rose will get it.  Paul needs too much help from his teammates.  Those of you who say Rose is just another Allen Iverson clearly don't watch Bulls basketball and are just buying into the hype.  Rose actually initiates the Bulls' offense.  All Iverson ever did was dribble dribble dribble until he'd launch a fadeaway 18-footer with the shot clock winding down.  Rose is also not as egoistic of a player as Chris Paul.  Unlike Paul, Rose won't water a team down with his impending free agency.  Team chemistry is just better on a Derrick Rose team than it is on a Chris Paul team.

Derrick Rose - Too big, too fast, too strong, too good.  Chris Paul, you're too little.

ChiTownCliff, don't let these clowns influence you.  You're team is good.

Also, Miami won't win a championship.  Not this year, not ever.  I like the chances of a healthy Bulls team better.  Shan nailed it earlier in the season.  Just too much individualistic play.  It's isn't a matter of not being clutch.  It's a matter of too much ball-domination.  Both LeBron and Wade need to dominate the ball to get the most of their abilities.  I said in my NBA season preview that Miami would adjust in their second year together, but now I think it's going to be the other way around.  Other teams will figure out how to play them.  The Heat won't return to the Finals.

Just imagine if we have a 1-8 or a 2-7 matchup in the first round between the Cavs and Heat.  What a bonanza that would be...

If you're team needs a bucket, Rose will get it.  Paul needs too much help from his teammates.

You're definitely inclined to your opinion and there is no argument that Derrick Rose could be seen by many (and in some cases should be) as being better than Chris Paul.  I have no problem with the argument.  However, if you actually watched Chris Paul (and, I'd argue, nobody has watched Paul as much as I have on these boards) then you'd know that this is a complete and bold faced untruth.  Chris Paul can score from anywhere on the floor.  In fact, every year that Derrick Rose has played in the NBA, CP3's had a true shooting percentage and efficiency field goal percentage that's better than Rose.  Paul can score from three point land (.447 percentage for Paul, .298 for Rose).  Paul can score in his midrange game as well and, although not supremely athletic, Paul can get into the lane.  Rose is much better at finishing around the rim (obviously, being much younger than Paul and without injury thus far contributes to that).  But Paul is the better passer (43.3 Assist Percentage for Paul, 36.7 for Rose) and the fact that Paul looks to his teammates does not mean that he needs help from his teammates.  That's a misconception that many people have when it comes to his game.

You can argue that Derrick Rose is better and that's fine.  But don't make a false argument in his defense.

And Rose does dominate the ball and that's where a lot of his statistics come from.  Last year he was at a 32.2% usage rate and this year he's at 28.7% and that's probably because of the games he's sat out.  That's a huge reason why Rose's raw numbers are better (and will continue to be better) than Paul's.

Rose is also not as egoistic of a player as Chris Paul.  Unlike Paul, Rose won't water a team down with his impending free agency.  Team chemistry is just better on a Derrick Rose team than it is on a Chris Paul team.

Paul gave 6 magnificent years in New Orleans and the team never gave the franchise less than 100%.  To best put this out there, this quote is from my season preview for the Hornets this year.

Chris Paul Era, Sorted by Efficiency Differential

2007-2008 (+5.8)
2008-2009 (+1.7)
2010-2011 (+1.0)
2006-2007 (-1.7)
2009-2010 (-2.7)
2005-2006 (-3.1)

The efficiency differential of 2007-2008 gives credence to the idea that that particular team was a piece or two away from greatness (<insert James Posey joke>).  It's also very clear from the rest of those numbers that in Chris Paul's six year stay, the Hornets had just one team that even remotely looked like it could do much.  For all of Paul's greatness, his supporting casts were just never that good.

By definition, league average efficiency differential is 0.  With Chris Paul, the Hornets finished below league average three times, and above it three times; yes, +6 was nearly achieved once, and yes, with a new owner and new management, the future perhaps looked like brightening.  But looking at it from Chris Paul's perspective, I think it's completely reasonable he decided he wanted out and, specifically, wanted out to a championship contender.

And this is from another thread on here where we've discussed, in detail, the differences between LeBron James and Dwight Howard handling their own contract year status'.

Don't mix Chris Paul in this.  The Hornets asked Chris Paul if he would sign an extension, he said no, and they made the executive decision to trade him.  He didn't openly come out and say he wanted to be traded and only wanted to be traded to these particular teams.  And Paul showed up at training camp, gave 100% at all times and never dogged it while this mess played out.

Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony on the other hand....

Also, it should be noted that this is Rose's fourth year in the league.  At Paul's fourth year, there were no questions about his "egotism" or how he sabotaged a franchise.  Paul stayed in New Orleans and the Hornets were never rich enough to get him help.  Rose plays in a huge market, got ton of help last year (especially in the Conference Finals, where he came up shorter than Paul ever has in a postseason series), and the fact that his current teammates are struggling offensively may have something to do with them not playing with a point guard adept at getting them the ball in their spots.  Carlos Boozer never struggled to score when he played with Deron Williams.  David West is struggling to score now that he's in Indiana.  Pure point guards make a difference.

You can say Rose is better and that's your prerogative.  I, however, still say Chris Paul is better than Derrick Rose.

Derrick Rose shot sub 40% in the playoffs last year. Paul had a smaller sample size but he was killing it against the Lakers and really elevated his play from the regular season. Paul is a better passer, defender and a more efficient scorer. Is Rose having a better season? Sure. Rose has definitly been better this year but if my goal is to win the championship I'm taking Paul over Rose anyday of the week. 

Because of Boozer's nagging injuries, Rose had to shoot a lot for the Bulls to have a chance.  This year, he at least has a modicum of help in the bcakcourt with the addition of Rip Hamilton.  You didn't even need to pay any attention to Keith Bogans at 2-guard.

You didn't even need to pay any attention to Keith Bogans at 2-guard.

As opposed to all of those players that helped Chris Paul last year (like Marco Belinelli or Willie Green or Trevor Ariza [who had one of the worst offensive seasons by any player ever], or Jason Smith, etc.). 

Definitely a valid arguement hurricanedj.  Rose is so dangerous as a scorer, I would probably give him the edge in your comparison.  Both great PG's, but if I had to have one or the other, I'd take Rose.  As far as determining whose better, I am a big fan of the head to head matchup!!

    A few year ago in that Celts/Bulls playoff series there was alot of controversy as to who was the better 1st year PG, Rondo or Rose.  They matched up on each other alot and are both regarded as solid defenders.  If I remember right they had almost identical stats, with a half rebound or assist in Rondo's favor... give or take.  The Celtics also had a much better team.  At that time it seemed as though Rondo was gonna be better.

   Fast forward to current day and I have to say I like Rose for top spot at PG.  Rondo is an unbelievable player, but Rose has scoring ability that Rondo lacks.  Free Throws and 3 pointers are the glaring advantages in Roses arsenal. 

  Right now, like I said.... I put Rose a hair above Paul but I would love to see a head to head matchup.

Rose is a great player, as young as he is I mean he's really special.

It's a really good debate but numbers don't tell the story. CP3 had better numbers before, doesn't mean he's a worse player now.

CP3 can score at will when he wants to but he plays the PG position like it should be, Rose is still growing into the position and setting up others. Not to knock Rose in anyway he's got an amazing future ahead of him.

They are different players in my opinion but if you were going to compare them I'd say they both have a killer instinct a competitiveness that is very rare. I believe Kobe said a few weeks ago that only Rose, Paul, (maybe a 3rd?) have that killer will similar to him.

I'll take Paul though because he's more efficient, better at setting up his teammates, and is the more expierenced player right now. 

No way I agree with this.  Derrick Rose is the best pg in the NBA,  Chris Paul is probably the 2nd or 3rd depending on if DWILL gets some help.  But Rose can take a game over in a flash.  He is more of a scorer to me then a passer but this year he seems to be dishing it out and setting up the team which happens to be working out very nice.  That Tough D will help that team go far in the playoffs and I hope they do.

Chris Paul is a beast of a player and has the scoring ability but I think Rose is the Bulls he dominates night in night out.  To me Chris Paul isn't the Clippers he is the secondary guy.  That is Griffins team despite the rumors that he could be moved to the Magic for Howard its his team.  I dont think there will be a deal sending him to anywhere.  He is a franchise player and the market for him in LA is huge you cant move a guy with so many fans backing him! 

Yep, it is getting hard to say that Derrick Rose is not the best point guard in the league when he is on the short list of best players in the league. What seperates him now is that I do not think anyone would claim to rather start a team with CP3 over Rose. Sure Chris Paul is a bit more effective and he is a better playmaker, but Derrick can and is the centerpiece of a serious contender. At his best Paul was close to that but not quite the same as Rose. I do not want to hear that Derrick has a better team around him either, because when the Hornets were looking their best Paul had West, who was much better then Boozer is now, and a pretty nice cast of other characters like Tyson Chandler and a still solid Peja.

The bottomline is that Derrick cannot be stopped. If he wants to drive and score, he will, and really only LeBron has been able to slow him down. If you want a superstar, you want a guy that can score in the crunch when it is needed most. That skill is more improtant to a contending team then a player that is a little bit better at setting up the guys around him. Rose is a top shelf scorer, who can also create for others. I would rather take the guy that can carry you on his back. Sure Derrick was not great against the Heat in the Playoffs last season, but overall he has been lights out. Him just being on the floor changes the game so much. It is like when Kobe or LeBron are in the game. Teams have to double team or they will pay.

Hurricane, as you can see, I now see Rose as the top guy at his position and I think he is closing in on being a top 5 player.

Chi Derrick has Deng,Noah and Boozer Paul had West,Chandler and Peja anyway you slice it Paul has never had a supporting cast as good as Rose has right now. Again Rose shot under 40% in the playoffs last year. It was just Lebron who slowed him down he was bad in the playoffs as a whole and had a few ;augable performances against the Hawks as well. The Bulls beat the Pacers and Hawks last season in the playoffs both of whom sucked and would have missed the playoffs in the West. Insert the 2008 Hornets into the Eastern conference last year and you don't think they would have made the ECF at the very least? Paul is a better defender,passer and more efficent scorer and has shown an ability to elevate his play in the postseason that I have not seen from Rose yet. I don't care about regular season stats until Rose steps up in the postseason and clutch I see no reason to elevate him to number one among point guards.

I'll say this.....Derrick Rose is an absolute beast and may be the most athletic PG in the league......but I would definitely take a HEALTHY Chris Paul over Derrick Rose at this time. Better overall PG, if FORCED he can take over the game scoring the ball as well. He's a better mid to outside range shooter and if you made me choose, I'd give the edge to him defensively as well. I think Rose's main advantage is the way he gets to the rim and the ridiculous(in a good way) ways he finishes....and that he scores more, but I think that's due to his situation more than anything else. To be fair, these guys are what and what when it comes to talent, but depending on my situation, I'd take Paul as the traditional PG.

I'm a fan of Derrick Rose but I think Chris Paul's mom makes better fish sticks.

The bottomline is that Derrick cannot be stopped. If he wants to drive and score, he will, and really only LeBron has been able to slow him down. If you want a superstar, you want a guy that can score in the crunch when it is needed most. That skill is more improtant to a contending team then a player that is a little bit better at setting up the guys around him. Rose is a top shelf scorer, who can also create for others. I would rather take the guy that can carry you on his back. Sure Derrick was not great against the Heat in the Playoffs  last season, but overall he has been lights out. Him just being on the floor changes the game so much. It is like when Kobe or LeBron are in the game. Teams have to double team or they will pay.


Rose vs the Heat was not going to the line as much as he did in the regular season. During the season he got the benefit of many calls driving to the basket but in the conference finals the refs were allowing the players decide the issue. 

Before you go all crazy realize this:

Clippers have played the strongest schedule thus far.  And they play in a tougher west.  So comparing Bulls/Clips record is foolish.

Chicago is 26th in Strength of Schedule and seems to miss Deng out of the lineup more than Rose.

The only stat CP3 doesn't beat Rose in right now is PPG and CP3 is shooting a better percentage across the board.  You can say Rose's defense isn't needed and I won't agree...  But I can say CP3 doesn't need to score 25 per night and I'd be correct.

CP3 is EASILY way better than Rose.  He is today and he will be when they are both retired.  Rose is overrated.  Always has been.  Heck, the kid couldn't even take his own SATs.

CP3 is the #1 PG in the NBA.  This is not a debate.

And forgive me...but if you say that Chicago Bulls identity is defense and Rose doesn't play it well.....  How is Rose the reason for their record.   That is pretty funny...how you deflate your own argument.

Chris Paul is the better PG.


If you watched Chris Paul you would know that. Like GO said, Paul can score any time he wants. The difference is Paul isn't as athletic as Rose and can't finish like Rose. But besides that Paul is the superior shooter, facilitator, and overall better basketball player.


Chris Paul is not only a better player, hes the best PG closer in the league. Watch a game and you'll see. He scores clutch baskets in the 4th quarter and he sets his team up for easy baskets to close out teams in the 4th quarter.  Rose is the better Sports Center Top plays PG but Chris Paul is the better overall PG.    

I actually saw Paul play the other day against the Nuggets and it looked as if Billups that carried the team in the clutch...

I actually saw Paul play the other day against the Nuggets and it looked as if Billups that carried the team in the clutch...

Really?  I watched Derrick Rose the other day against Miami and saw him miss two free throws that would have given his team the lead...

And by the way, it was Chris Paul shooting those free throws down the stretch for the Clippers against the Nuggets.  Chauncey Billups had a huge game (and he takes a lot of shots, he'll have plenty of big games) but when it came down to it, it was Paul they trusted with the big moment.  In fact, Paul scored 6 of the team's final 7 points in that game.

Kyrie Irving is better than both of them.