Recognizing NBA Guard Chris Paul for Setting Steals Record

To set a record in any professional sport is an accomplishment worth talking about, especially when a sport has been around professionally for over 100 years. Athletes have the ability to do some amazing things. The most popular accomplishment in 2008 was obviously that of Michael Phelps and his gold medals in the summer Olympics in Beijing, but when it comes to professional basketball record-setting performances don't happen on a regular basis. Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets recently set an NBA record in the steals category.

Paul has set the record for having at least one steal in 106 straight regular season games. Before Chris Paul, Alvin Robertson held this record and set it between November 1985 and December 1986 while playing for San Antonio. Robertson's NBA record, which is now broken, was 105 straight regular season games with at least one steal. Michael Jordan, the greatest player in basketball history, is ranked third in the category, getting at least one steal in 77 straight regular season games.

Chris Paul is one of the more elite guards playing in the NBA today. Ironically, he broke the record against San Antonio when he stole the ball from Tony Parker in the second quarter. Robertson, who was the previous record holder, set his record playing for San Antonio. Immediately after Paul stole the ball from Tony Parker, the crowd in attendance applauded recognizing this accomplishment.

Hornets coach Byron Scott, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers when Alvin Robertson set the previous record, mentioned how Paul has great anticipation and is always around the ball, very similar to the way Robertson was when he played. Paul's streak started while the Hornets were still not able to play in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina damage in April 2007. The only game since then that Paul came close to not getting a steal in, was against the Portland Trail Blazers in January 2008. Since then Paul has been on a roll. Paul's streak actually ended on Christmas Day 2008 at 108 consecutive regular season games with at least one steal, against the Orlando Magic.

This noteworthy accomplishment and record set by Chris Paul is a testament to players in the NBA and leagues around the world who get things done on the defensive side of the court. Most players are praised only for how many points they score per game. No one looks at a player who averages a significant amount of blocks or steals per game without the scoring, as an MVP candidate. Players who do get recognized as MVP candidates in basketball are players who have more of a direct effect on the scoring of their games. What the people should know about the game of basketball and most other sports as well is that defense wins championships!