Adam Pantozzi/Getty ImagesAfter Wednesday's victory by the Phoenix Suns 130-103 in Game 6, Chris Paul, 36, is now on his 16th NBA season.The Suns' future Hall of Fame point-guard is the reason they lost Game 5 at home.Phoenix led 89-72 when CP3 sat down in the final quarter. Monty Williams, Suns coach, quickly put Paul back in after the Clippers scored 10 consecutive points.The final 1:43 of the frame was completely taken over by The Point God, a man who was long ago nicknamed The Point God. He made threes, made a midranger, and drew technical fouls on DeMarcus Cousins. Phoenix led 97-83 at quarter break. Paul scored 14 points of Phoenix's next 16 after L.A.'s run.Paul said, "Don't Lose," when Rachel Nichols asked him what he thought during that run. "Don't lose your mission. That feels great!Paul's last line? The final line of Paul? He was 7 of 8 from the three-point line.Paul was able to represent West in the Finals. According to Basketball Reference, he scored a staggering 39.6 game score. This is his second-highest postseason score for any single game.It is remarkable that CP3 has reached this level at this stage in his career. Yes, there will be some distractions at the moment. Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray, and Kawhi Leonard were unable to attend all or most of the series against Phoenix. His entire career has been a war against attrition. It is almost fitting that he is closer to a title in this season of attrition.Paul, after a career that included high-profile losses in postseasons and injuries that were not timed well, was almost salary-disqualified by the Houston Rockets two year ago.Houston was able to attach two first-round draft picks and two pick swaps to the deal that sent James Harden to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook."That trade was made because Tilman Fertitta, the Rockets owner, wanted it made," ESPN's Tim MacMahon stated on The Lowe Post (h/t CBS Sports). "He believed Chris Paul's contract was one of the worst he'd seen in sports or business."It was initially believed that OKC would reroute Paul to another location. However, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN suggested that the Thunder could "incentivize" such a deal by offering picks.This line of thinking was sensible considering his nagging injuries, and the fact that he still had $124.1 million and three years left on his contract. Paul wasn't as close as some thought.CP3's final season with the Rockets saw him average 22.9 points, 12.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per each 75 possessions that Harden was not on the floor. After Paul was unable to find anyone to take his huge contract and he returned to the Thunder's alpha role, numbers like these became much easier to find.He was the ultimate mentor for a team that no one thought would make it to the postseason in 2019-20. They did it thanks to Paul's leadership, averages of 17.6 and 6.7 assists. He also made an impact on his former teammates.Shai Gilgeous Alexander said, "He was a great support to me in my second-year." I found a brother for the rest of my life. I am thankful to have been his teammate."Paul's results were better than expected, making him a great value once again. OKC also landed another first round pick for Paul this offseason.He then increased his value somehow.CP3 was fifth in MVP voting. He is a Suns player, an inexperienced and young team that has not made it to the NBA Finals since 2010. In the most dramatic moments, such as Wednesday's, he has shown that he can still dominate a game.Paul declined his $44.2 million option to become a player in 2021-22, two years after his contract was deemed one of the worst in league. This is not surprising considering that it was not impossible. It wouldn't surprise him to be offered a two-year or three-year contract paying $20-25 million per year if he entered free agency.It is possible that something similar might be expected if Phoenix wins a championship.A title would also seal the legacy of a Hall of Famer. Basketball would be his bread and butter, no matter what happens in his next contract.Paul ranks fifth in NBA history for career box plus/minus (BPM, a basketball box score-based measure that estimates a player's contribution to the team while they are on the court), and ninth in playoff box plus/minus.His career averages are 18.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 2.1 steals. He's also top-five in assists and steals all-time.Only thing that is missing is a ring.Paul is currently at the top of the ringless legends group that includes Charles Barkley and Karl Malone, John Stockton, James Harden, and John Stockton.He could be in conversation with Oscar Robertson, Stephen Curry and other great point guards (behind Magic Johnson) if he wins a championship.These are the kinds of legacy-based discussions analysts and fans love to obsess about. Paul's "Don't Lose Mission" is what this is all about, which he emphasized immediately after Wednesday's win.Although the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks will not be walkovers (though Trae Youth and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both injured), this year almost feels like a year that CP3 has been waiting for.This mission has one more goal.
