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#3 Chris Paul
Chris Paul was drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA draft. He showed his prowess in his very first season, winning the Rookie of the Year honors. After spending six years with the Hornets, Paul moved to Los Angeles to become part of the 'Lob City' Clippers.
He was a mainstay in the team alongside talents like JJ Redick, Blake Griffin, Matt Barnes and DeAndre Jordan. Although the team appeared on all the major highlight reels throughout their glory days, they failed to make it past the second round. CP3 then moved to the Houston Rockets, and formed a formidable backcourt with James Harden.
Despite several attempts, they failed to make any significant impact in the playoffs. He then decided to move to the OKC Thunder in 2019 and try his luck in taking the young team into the playoffs. Despite overwhelming odds, CP defied the odds and carried them into the postseason. The team lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round, but CP3's impressive performances were very well appreciated.
He then decided to take up another challenge and moved to the Phoenix Suns for the 2020-21 season. CP3 and Devin Booker formed a phenomenal backcourt to lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals since 1993. However, the team fell short against a strong Bucks team, which meant CP missef out on the chance to win his first NBA championship.
Chris Paul's stacked resume comprises all the top laurels in the game. However, an NBA championship is long overdue, especially after coming close in the 2020-21 season. He will be looking for another brilliant campaign, making a deep run to the playoffs and possibly win his first NBA championship.
#2 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. He formed a great team there with James Harden and Kevin Durant. The young team lit up the league, making several runs to the playoffs. Russell Westbrook was a stalwart in the team because of his unmatchable athleticism.
OKC lost the NBA Finals in 2012, but Russ and KD's performances were appreciated by all. The two tried to carry the Thunder to another NBA Finals, but fell short several times. That led KD to leave the team in 2016, and join the Golden State Warriors. Russ was left all alone, but that didn't stop him from achieving glory with OKC.
Westbrook was named the MVP in 2017, after he averaged triple-double figures for the season. He kept recording unreal statlines with OKC, but that didn't result in winning the NBA championship. After nine years in Oklahoma, Russ moved to the Houston Rockets.
He had another incredible regular season, but his failure to deliver in the postseason meant the Rockets got knocked out in the second round against the Lakers. Westbrook then made a bold decision to move to the Washington Wizards. Although he started slowly, Westbrook picked up the pace, and went on an incredible run during the regular season. He averaged a triple-double campaign for the fourth time in his career
Having won almost everything in his career, Westbrook moved to the LA Lakers during the offseason. He will hope to have an incredible year with them, and win his first NBA championship.
#1 James Harden
James Harden was picked third by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2003 NBA draft. He played behind Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, but slowly began showing glimpses of his brilliance. Harden had a breakout year during the 2011-12 season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to be announced the Sixth Man of the Year.
Harden played a big role in the team's run to the NBA Finals. However, he didn't have a great series against the Miami Heat. After three seasons, he moved to the Houston Rockets. He found himself a starting spot in the Rockets, and quickly became one of the best scorers in the league.
After eight years in Houston, Harden moved to the Brooklyn Nets to form a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In his illustrious career, Harden has won MVP honors, and made nine All-Star games and six All-NBA First team appearances.
However, an NBA championship has been conspicuous by its absence, which has brought The Beard to the Nets. If things go right this season, the Nets could succeed in winning their first NBA championship.
