This tweet by [Dalton Johnson](https://twitter.com/DaltonJ_Johnson/status/1719988055971676417) spurred a thought about [Chris Paul’s](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paulch01.html) assist and turnovers total so far this season:
https://preview.redd.it/tpo0fg0cvyxb1.png?width=950&format=png&auto=webp&s=202b02ef86e6bc9bef14b5c8c318bb2447e2a575
This is just the 4th time that a player has totaled 40+ assists with 6 or fewer turnovers through a team’s first 5 games of a season. This is also the 2nd time that Paul has done it. ([Source](https://stathead.com/tiny/0oult))
Paul’s ability to take care of the ball is exactly what Golden State needed!
Chris Paul’s assist to turnover ratio after 5 games with the Warriors: 6.83
CP3 has 41 assists and 6 turnovers
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) November 2, 2023
by Basketball_Reference
22 Comments
Chris Paul off the bench at this point of his career is so optimal. Having a high IQ floor general coming off the bench and being able to see certain things the starters don’t see allows him to make adjustments. Coupled with going up against opposing bench units he’s able to control the game even at his age. Young CP3 was a monster. Old CP3 is a different, more calculated beast.
Fun fact: CP3 has the best assist to turnover ratio in NBA history among PG with at least 1k games. He basically protects the ball better than Nash, Magic, Kidd and Stockton.
Never thought I’d post a positive fact about CP3 on this sub but here we are.
for context, Steph had 7 TO tonight. Lol. let’s build around CP3
CP3 has all the makings of a “mini-Shaun” backup PG — secure ball handling, passing, solid D, and even the deadly mid-range. Everything but the height. His career AST:TOV was 4.33, not too shabby. CP3’s career AST:TOV is 3.99.
It’s so common to see stars starting a season or 2 longer than they should. This is a rare case of what can happen if former stars go to the bench earlier than they need.
100%. Noticed the zero TO’s in the box score. Compare that to the second unit last year.
Takes so much pressure off the starters. If they can play like this much of the season, 10-11 deep all under 30 min…wow.
Mini Shaun?
CP3 has the ability to create & initiate offense at a level Shaun could not. And a three point shot that is crucial for spacing. Livy was amazing but that ability to run pick n rolls and create offense that CP3 has is truly amazing. He’s more like Livy & Poole combined but without the athleticism or size.
People get so bent out of shape over the warriors turnovers. Like it hasnt been happening for years. To me.. that is part of the way they play. If they are holding the ball too tight and safe then they are not trying to exploit extra passes and movement. Those are championship warriors traits.
I’m starting a petition to change his nickname to Careful Ball Paul. Forget the CP garbage.
High assists and low TO’s for a team with historically high assists and high TO’s. A guy who can slow down the pace while Steph sits. A floor general when Draymond and Steph are on the bench. A vet to help develop our younger players. CP3 was exactly the backup PG this team needed.
Steph has more turnovers last night than CP3 has all season haha.
It’s still early but I’m really impressed how well it’s working. I really think the intelligence and matchups part of it is key. He just opens up a bunch of extra roster combinations and matchups.
Steve Kerr is in love
The fact that they’re able to keep Steph and the starters consistently 5+ minutes lower than last year should really add up in stamina and output through the course of the year. I just pray they all stay healthy
Legit question: is this the best core 4 CP3 has played with?
I only started watching the game the year Giannis won, so I didn’t really watch CP3 with Lob City Clippers or the Rockets.
CP3 , making balls feels safe…….
From JPchokegod3 to CPassistgod3.
What a difference! 👏
CP3 plays good defense also for his height and age like the swipe he made during that crucial last 4 minutes yesterday
Being a Warrior makes everybody better.
90% of those assists are to Dario. The other 10% to Klay.
It is also the first time that this is done by a player that just changed team… if I read the stats correctly.
My hope is for Wiggs to get back into basketballing, JK and Moses prepping for playoff runs, and Klay hitting a few more game winners.