CP3 may not edge Curry or Harden, but his durability puts him above Westbrook

Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY SportsChris Paul has played in all 74 of the Clippers’ games thus far this season.

When ESPN Insider spent last week debating whether Stephen Curry or Russell Westbrook was the better player/point guard, an important guest wasn’t invited to the party: Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, who still belongs in the debate of the NBA’s best PG.

By taking on an enormous offensive load after Kevin Durant‘s injury, Westbrook has been better than Paul this season by most measures. However, when we change the criteria to most valuable, Paul deserves to come out ahead. His durability gives him an important edge over Westbrook in the MVP race.

Here’s an in-depth comparison of the star point guards, followed by a case that Paul belongs on the MVP ballot.

What’s replacement level got to do with it?