A New Era … Already?

As the clocks ticked down in Cleveland, everyone was on their feet. The Cavalier fans had just stood witness to another driving, twisting, get-out-of-my-way-because-here-I-come finish by LeBron James, giving Cleveland a one-point lead with 7.7 seconds left.

One problem, Chris Paul now had the ball, and for one of the quickest, smartest players in the NBA, 7.7 seconds was a lifetime. Paul received the ball at mid-court and calmly setup James like a bowling pin. The point guard shook to his right, allowing David West to pin the defender. Paul saw the light, then drove to the basket, drawing everyone in Cleveland, and when the timing was just right, dished it back to West, who was standing alone at the top of the key. West calmly drilled the game-winner, and just like that, we all became "witness" to the changing of the guard.

In 7.7 seconds, the torch had been passed.

Since LeBron came into the league, he was viewed as his own version of John 3:16. King James was the way, the truth, and the light. After an amateur career more hyped than Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton put together, James backed it up in his first game as a pro. Against the Sacramento Kings, 'Bron had a line to backup the hype, racking up 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Still, as he blossomed into one of the best the game had ever seen, there was still something missing. At first, it was the nail-biting. Then it was the inconsistent play, taking games off, playing at half speed, something none of the greats ever did. Then it was his frustrating finishes. This was never more apparent than in last year's playoffs. When Cleveland played Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons exposed James early on in the series. In Game 1, James passed up a lay up inside to Donyell Marshall, who missed an open three. The Cavs lost. In Game 2, James refused to give up the ball took a hail mary three with three guys on him, and the Cavs lost. Of course, James' skill and athleticism took over in the series, culminating in James' 48-point Game 5.

Many viewed it as James' coming out game, the game proving that if not the best, James was one of the top two players in the game today. In the offseason as Kobe Bryant submitted tirade after tirade demanding a trade out of hapless Los Angeles, a legitimate discussion took place over who would you rather have, LeBron or Kobe? I said LeBron.

Now things have changed a bit since I made that declaration. Kobe has become a man amongst boys, playing the way we always hoped he would. He has trusted his teammates this year, made the unselfish plays, and has the Lakers playing at the top of their game. LeBron is doing what he has done year in and year out, continuing to get better, averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game this season. He currently ranks first in points, top 10 in assists, and top 30 in rebounds.

For most, the argument has made a full 180. Kobe Bryant has proven this year he is the best in the league. LeBron is still the man in waiting. Or is he?

In the late-'70s, there was Dr. J. In the '80s, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird took the game to new heights. Then Michael Jordan took over and transformed the game to where it stands now. Since Jordan retired, however, no one has been able to take over as the face of the league.

In 1996, it seemed we had the heir or air-apparent. Kobe Bryant had come into the league and his smile, flair, and even his pidgin-toed walk struck chords with many as the next Jordan. If not the next Jordan, he was the new face of the league. As the Lakers got better, and Kobe got better, we realized he wasn't. He was still immature, selfish, and unwilling to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team. He wasn't even the best player on his team. Then 2004's rape case in Colorado came along and the new face of the NBA would never be in Kobe's future.

At the same time, a young man by the name of LeBron James was taking the world by storm. He had the body of a 28-year-old trapped in an 18-year-old. From the moment he entered the league, he proved he belonged. Madison Avenue wondered if he could take over as the face of the NBA. It had been vacant for far too long.

So we willed him to take the mantel. We marveled at his game, rightly so. We saw the future and it looked bright. He was charismatic, lovable, and the guy could ball. We all loved "the LeBrons" and his "SNL" appearance was great. Here he was, the guy. The new face of the NBA. The headband-wearing, tattoo-covered, glare-at-my-teammates-for-not-being-as-good-as-me, mug-for-the-camera-after-a-nasty-dunk NBA. And we all accepted it.

That is until those 7.7 seconds.

While LeBron and Kobe played for best player in the league, down in New Orleans, Paul was starting a revolution.

Drafted fourth behind Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut, Atlanta's Marvin Williams, and Utah's Deron Williams, Paul has made the acceleration to all-star faster than anyone else in his draft year. The Hornets' record improved 20 games his first year in the league, and currently New Orleans is fighting for the top seed in the West.

In that game against Cleveland, Paul's pass to West was his 20th assist of the night. It was the second 20-plus assists game of the season for the third-year player out of Wake Forest. Paul is currently averaging 21.6 points, 11.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He also is averaging 4.5 assists to every turnover. To put those numbers into perspective, Tim Hardaway was the last player to notch a 20 and 10 for the year 14 years ago, and no one in the history of the NBA has averaged 20 points 10 assists and 3 steals in a season. I can assure you, Paul will be the first. He is tops in assists and steals, and in the top 20 for points.

He's the next Isiah Thomas. Some even think he'll be better than Zeke. Others think when all is said and done Paul will be the greatest point guard to ever play the game. Better than John Stockton, Johnson, Oscar Robertson, all of them.

All of this went through my brain as 7.7 seconds ticked off the clock.

Why shouldn't Chris Paul be the face of the NBA?

Jordan has already picked up on it, signing him to the Jordan brand. If the NBA is watching, they should move on this, too.

First off, he's a point guard, the ultimate team-first guy. He's not riddled with tattoos. He doesn't manipulate himself into caricatures to embarrass his opponent. He does all his talking on the court. His 2.7 steals tells you he plays defense. His 11.3 assists lets you know he makes everyone better, and his 20 points per game reminds you he can score, as well. Against Phoenix this year, Paul had 42 points, 9 assists, and 8 steals. A few nights later against Dallas, CP3 had 31 points, 11 assists, and 9 steals, and only 1 turnover.

Have you heard the story of his slain grandfather?

As a senior in high school, Paul had to deal with the murder of his grandfather, his best friend, his mentor, his guiding light. Overcome with so much emotion, Paul considered never picking up a basketball again. After friends and family encouraged him to keep playing in memory of his grandfather, Paul did something as a tribute that would bring any person who has lost someone to tears.

A day after his grandfather's funeral, Paul laced them up for the first game of his senior year. Paul set out to score 61 points, one point for every year of his grandfather's life. With Paul at 59 points, he drove to the bucket, got fouled, hit the shot to reach 61. Paul went to the line to finish off the three-point play, and finished it ... by missing it. He took himself out of the game and wept in his father's arms to a standing ovation. Paul had achieved his tribute. Now the number 61 resides on the back of his shoe. His grandfather would surely be proud.

If that's not enough, Paul is entrenched in a rivalry. Who doesn't like rivals? Deron Williams was picked a spot ahead of Paul and so far since the two have entered the league, the true optimists envision Bird vs. Magic, part deux.

The league has never had a player rivalry since Bird and Magic. Jordan never had an equal. Shaq, well there's no one who will ever matchup to Shaq. Kobe, LeBron, and Vince Carter have never shown the competitive will against each other to define a rivalry.

Williams and Paul do.

Both view each other as the best. Both will enter the playoffs this season as the best at their position (Steve Nash excluded). Throughout their career, Paul has held a statistical advantage, but Williams and the Jazz are 7-2 against the Hornets during the two's tenure. The best part about the rivalry is you can envision both staying with their respective teams and battling it out for the next 12-15 years. Magic and Bird gave us quality ball for a decade, and now we get it again, in the same conference. We won't have to wait until the Finals for a matchup. We get to watch them go head-to-head every year for the right to make the Finals.

What more could you want?

I haven't even brought up the MVP discussion that has now become a two-horse race between Bryant and Paul. We'll save that argument for a later date.

This is more about who would you rather have as the face of the NBA. LeBron or CP3? In 7.7 seconds, my answer became easy.