Point, counterpoint: Inevitable comparisons between rookie guards

HOUSTON — Chris Paul, Chris Paul, Chris Paul.

It's become a rally cry for bashers intent on maintaining the Jazz made the wrong pick in last June's NBA Draft, selecting University of Illinois point Deron Williams ahead of Wake Forest point . . . Chris Paul, Chris Paul, Chris Paul.

For Williams, however, it has different meaning altogether.

To him Chris Paul is as likely as any other name to appear on his cell phone, identifying an incoming caller.

"We just talk," said Williams, taken No. 3 overall, one spot over Paul. "What friends talk about — what you talk about with your friends, and your boys."

The two became fast friends at a basketball camp the summer before last, and have maintained their relationship. By Williams' count, they've spoken "six, seven times" since their rookie NBA seasons started in November. They talk, in fact, about most everything under the sun.

All, that is, except heavy hoops.

"I don't talk about basketball with my friends," said Williams, who along with Paul plays tonight in the league's annual rookie-sophomore game, part of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities here. "I don't like talking about basketball. I get enough of that. We just talk about 'What's up?' . . . 'Whatcha been doing?' "

Many in Utah are well-aware of Williams' doings.

He has averaged 3.9 assists, 9.3 points and 26.4 minutes over 50 games in a mostly backup role. Williams does have 19 starts, but most came only when starter Keith McLeod was injured. He's also hitting just 38.4 percent from the field, worst among the other 19 participants in tonight's exhibition.

Paul, meanwhile, has established himself already as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets' foundation.

He has started all 48 games in which he's played. He's averaging 7.7 assists, 15.6 points and 35.4 minutes. He's shooting 43.2 percent. Moreover, his Hornets are 29-23. The Jazz: 25-27.

No wonder Paul hears plaudits every time he turns.

Pundits from an alphabet soup's worth of national media outlets — ESPN, TNT, SI — have made him their early Rookie of the Year favorite.

In fact, all nine of TNT's electorate — Marv Albert, David Aldridge, Charles Barkley, Doug Collins, Kevin Harlan, Ernie Johnson, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith — picked Paul.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Ballard calls Paul "a lock" for the award.