The New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul and the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine's NBA Preview Issue

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2008

Rick Reilly Plays Fantasy With Senator Barack Obama

NEW YORK -- Over the past three NBA seasons the who-is-the-better-point-guard debate has grown in lockstep with the New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul and the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams friendship. The more each tries to outdo the other, the more intertwined they become. Both have achieved elite point guard status in only three seasons. Both have been part of deep playoff runs, and both probably will be for the foreseeable future. So who's better? In the new issue of ESPN The Magazine on sale today, writer Ric Bucher surveyed scores of insiders and fans, and each group went with Paul (sorry Deron).

* Paul on Williams: "I try to crowd him and live with jump shots. He's going to score, but when he gets everyone else involved, you can put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye."

* Williams on Paul: "Hey, we're two motivated guys. That's one of the things we have in common and why we get along."

* Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz: "Chris Paul is a magician with the ball. At practices with Team USA, D-Will, J-Kidd, Kobe - nobody could stop him."

* Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy: "I thought we peaked with Isiah Thomas. Then Chris Paul fell out of the sky. He's a classier Isiah with a better jumper. We are blessed. Comparing him with Deron Williams is like comparing Pearl Jam to Stone Temple Pilots. Don't waste your time."

The Magazine's NBA preview also looks at Daryl Morey, the Rockets' young MIT MBA educated general manager, who is using obscure statistical metrics to evaluate players - he guards his secrets tightly but offers The Mag a glimpse into his system. Plus, The Mag looks at how talent is evaluated from five different vantage points - players, coaches, scouts, stat heads and fans - who all think their way is the best way - and provides fans a comprehensive list of who's going to be good, who's going to be bad, and why and full team reports.

In his latest Life of Reilly column, Rick Reilly introduces us to his gridiron challenge partner: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. But Senator Obama wasn't pushing his political agenda while picking his fantasy team. "Man, this is more important than politics!" he insisted. "This is football."

Other features in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine include:

COUNTDOWNO TO THE HOT STOVE LEAGUE. Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira can expect big paydays, but most free agents should prep for a cold winter. Plus: players named Fielder, Peavy and Francoeur could be on the move. Buster Olney reports.

REVERSING FIELD. Sure Redskins QB Jason Campbell has it all figure out now. But a trip through his past shows that he was always on the right track. Justin Heckert reports.

BE THE BALL. Who knows the ins and outs of Penn State's potent Spread HD offense better than the ball itself? Hang on for an in-depth and high-flying ride. By NIKE 3005 Collegiate Football, as told to Eddie Matz.

COULD'VE BEEN WORSE. As a sophomore forward at Nevada, Tyrone Hanson almost died at a party gone bad - and was kicked off the team for his trouble. Now the former New York prep star in Arkansas is looking for a shot at redemption. Jerry Bembry reports.

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