Never-ending debate

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 23, 2007 | by Tim Buckley Deseret Morning News

Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul.

It may not rise to Utah-BYU proportions -- not this week, not in these parts.

But it is a rivalry wrought with great debate that just won't die, and probably will not until long after the Jazz point guard and the New Orleans Hornets point -- the Nos. 3 and 4 selections, respectively, in the 2005 NBA Draft -- both are retired.

And even after they're done, there might be an argument over who is better at rocking his chair.

"We know," Williams said Thursday, "we're gonna be linked together for our careers."

They are, much like -- pick your era -- 1960 1-2 picks Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, or the 2003 crop of current NBA stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.

"There was so much controversy of why we picked (Williams) over Chris, and I think he's proven (why)," Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer said. "Not to say anything bad about Chris. I think Chris is a terrific player as well. But I think he (Williams) has answered those questions."

At least for now.

"I think it's gonna be something we look back on 10 years from now, 12 years from now, however long they play, and we compare and see what happens," Boozer added. "But I give my upper hand to my point guard."

Boozer is biased and readily admits it.

"Obviously," he said, "I play with (Williams), practice with him every day, and I know how good he is and how good he's gonna be."

Only time, though, will ultimately tell who is better.

For now, Williams and Paul must settle for another head-to-head battle to make their case. And it may not determine much, as both are hobbling heading into tonight's meeting at EnergySolutions Arena.

Williams had an ingrown toenail repaired last Tuesday, didn't practice Thursday night and said "I'll have to see" when asked if he'll play tonight -- though Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he thought Williams would be available.

Paul, meanwhile, returned to the New Orleans lineup Wednesday after missing two games with a sprained right ankle.

Medical matters aside, the great debate rages on -- in gyms, and on the Internet.

Retired NBA and ex-Jazz guard Tim Legler, now an ESPN.com NBA analyst, addressed the subject earlier this season.

Excerpts from Legler's breakdown:

* "(Paul) has put up great numbers, but the thing I like about him the best is he's a great decision-maker. Since he first had the ball in his hands at the NBA level, he was the leader of that team. ... As good as he's playing, one would think he could become an All- Star soon. But just like the power forward position is overloaded with talent in the West, so too is the point guard position. ... He might not play in an All-Star Game for three or four years.

* "Williams, however, will be an All-Star this season. What he did in the playoffs last season put him on the map as probably a top- four point guard in the league. The guy was a better NBA player at the start of his career than I thought. I didn't know he had this quickness, and he likes to get one step on you, creating space by using his upper body. ... And he's certainly worked hard to get where he is. When I talk to people in Utah, they say they can't get him out of the gym.

* "Your best playing years are usually from age 27 to 32. That's when you have the best balance of experience and physical talent. And your team's front office has had time to surround you with the right players. If I had to take one, I'd pick Williams, because I think he's got a little bit more in each area. Still, you're not going to go wrong with either guy."

Legler's ESPN.com colleague, Marc Stein, commented during a recent online chat.

Stein's points:

* "I have to send my kudos to the Jazz -- who were roasted, remember, when they made this decision -- and say that D-Will would be my choice (by a whisker) ... D-Will is obviously more of a physical presence than CP3 (Paul), and that clearly makes him a handful. All it took was one sensational postseason run and now people routinely rave about D-Will's fearlessness, toughness and clutchness.

* "Then there's my clincher: No one gave San Antonio defensive problems in the 2007 playoffs like D-Will. No one. The Spurs struggled to keep up with him no matter what they tried. That says something. Of course, I also had a very smart basketball man tell me this week that CP3 is playing such an impressive floor game these days that he's 'starting to look like Steve Nash with quickness.' In other words, it's probably best to keep a waffle iron handy with these two."

Over on NBA.com, the Web site's Maurice Brooks and John Jacobson recently argued online.

Brooks: "I originally thought Paul was the more talented of the two, but last season Williams passed him by."

Jacobson: "Williams' postseason performance and Paul's injury woes have wrongly convinced people Deron had a better season, but if you look beyond the most basic statistics you would see Paul was more productive. The Jazz would be better off with Paul at the helm, and any GM would be crazy not to take CP3 over his Utah rival."

And so the debate goes.