Rowan Kavner 
Digital Content Coordinator
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Clippers point guard Chris Paul is an All-Star for the ninth straight year.
The 2013 All-Star MVP was voted in by the coaches as one of the West’s reserves for the game in Toronto, along with Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, James Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Paul owns the highest assist average (12.9) and steal average (3.1) in All-Star Game history, and he’s not slowing down in either department during the 2015-16 regular season. Paul’s in the top five in the NBA this year in assists per game (9.6), assist-to-turnover ratio (3.43) and steals per game (2.07).
Even before the news he’d be going to his ninth All-Star Game, Paul said it was an honor and a privilege to already have eight appearances under his belt. This time, he’ll be heading to Toronto, which he said was always one of his favorite NBA cities.
Paul’s gone via the fan vote and the coaches’ vote before, and he said they both have their perks.
“Being voted in by the fans and by the coaches really makes it special, because when it’s the coaches, it’s your peers and stuff like that,” Paul said. “They’re both cool.”
Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant were voted in by the fans as the West’s All-Star starters late last week.
Paul, who’s averaging 18.6 points per game this year, will now be joining them, saving his best for this month.
After averaging 18.4 points and 9.9 assists per game in December, Paul’s increased his averages to 20.8 points and 11 assists per game in January, leading all Western Conference players in assists this month. Paul’s also one of just two players, along with Westbrook, averaging at least 20 points and 10 assists in January.
“He’s been great,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “But he’s been a leader all the time. I mean, he just is.”
In the process of helping guide the Clippers to back-to-back wins in Indiana and Atlanta, Paul passed Magic Johnson for No. 19 on the all-time steals list, now just nine behind teammate Paul Pierce. This season, Paul’s also moved up to No. 12 all-time in assists.
Paul also became the fourth fastest player in NBA history to 7,000 career assists, behind only Johnson, John Stockton and Oscar Robertson.
“I’ve coached against Chris Paul in Olympic Games, and I’ve coached him in All-Star Games,” said 76ers head coach Brett Brown. “I’m always blown away. You put a bunch of really good players in a room, he’s one of those Alpha dogs. His personality and his swagger and his talent and his toughness all stand out. You step back and you’re just sort of blown away at the package.”
Here’s more of what coaches around the league have said this year about the Clippers’ All-Star point guard:
New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry: “One of the top three point guards in the league, for sure. I’ve been around him, the most competitive guy I think I’ve ever been around. He’s all about winning.”
Toronto head coach Dwane Casey – “Chris Paul is invoking his will on the game”
Portland head coach Terry Stotts – “I haven’t really been surprised (at the Clippers’ success shorthanded), because I have that much respect for Chris Paul. If anything, this gives him more responsibility, and he’s great at orchestrating an offense.”
Denver head coach Mike Malone – “He has a passion for the game of basketball, a true student of the game, always watching. Whether it’s NBATV, Synergy, the guy is a student of the game and takes his craft very, very seriously, because he loves it.”