Jan 9, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

In every sport there is always going to be the element of compare and contrast in terms of how the media brings up stories or debates, whether its over different eras, players, coaches or teams.

This isn’t a new phenomenon, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird–who didn’t even play the same position–were scaled down side-by-side after every game. Who was better at this, who was better at that and where do they fit in with the great ones before them? Bill Walton was compared to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because of their UCLA link, Bill Russell to Wilt Chamberlain because they seemed to be the only star players winning championships.

Pete Rose was compared to Ted Williams in the 1970′s when the gambler was becoming one of the best hitters to ever play in the MLB–similar to Williams in his time. How about Barry Bonds to Hank Aaron, Aaron to Babe Ruth, David Eckersley to Jack Morris, Willie Mays to Jackie Robinson? We can’t forget about the plethora of New York Yankees to Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio–who I’m sure were analyzed side by side worse than Johnson and Bird were.

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) lines up during the fourth quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL–Americas top sport at the present time–is definitely no different. There is the Randy Moss and Terrell Owens to Jerry Rice debate, Walter Payton to Jim Brown, Barry Sanders to Payton, Peyton Manning to Joe Montana, Montana to Bart Starr or Johnny Unitas, Donovan McNabb to Steve Young to Randall Cunningham, and Michael Vick to all of the scrambling quarterbacks of the past, including: McNabb, Young, Cunningham, Fran Tarkenton and Roger Staubach.

The point is, as a sports fanatic and fellow media member, when do we draw the line in all of the compare and contrast hoopla and just enjoy the player for who he is? When do we give the utmost attention to right now instead of what happened 30 years ago?

A perfect example is Chris Paul.

He is having a spectacular season for the Los Angeles Clippers right now and is rightfully in the MVP conversation. Paul is scoring, dishing out passes, dictating the tempo of every game he is in and playing above average defense.

In all honesty, watching Paul this season has been a fantastic form of basketball played at it’s purest, most pristine level.

However, instead of sitting back in my chair I call the bubble (very comfortable) and relaxing as I watch a game with excitement and wonderment of what Paul is going to do next, I’m a play behind since my mind is trying to figure out a comparison. Who could have done the spin move, two dribbles with the left hand, switch to right and slip between two tree trunks to get to the rim for a layup?

January 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (10) moves the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Could Steve Nash do it? Maybe John Stockton? Then I spend the next 15 minutes searching YouTube for clips of Pete Maravich, Bob Cousy, Tiny Archibald, Mark Jackson, Isiah Thomas, Byron Scott, Doc Rivers and whoever pops to my mind during the given game.

Let’s keep in mind, it happens every game, not just once a month or once a week. The compare and contrast era we’re in–probably won’t get out of until the Internet crashes–has deluded the absolute awesomeness of sports.

The moments we once yearned for are now just another normal event because didn’t someone else do it 50 years ago? We might never see it happen again in our lifetime and our children might not either, but does it matter because we can talk about the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 season, watch video clips–and it’s like we were in the front row of the United Center during every memorable game of the historic season.

If you don’t find the clips yourself, ESPN is sure to remind you of someone or something that did it better or did it first.

I’m 600 words into this post and I haven’t even mentioned the biggest comparison topic to date–Michael Jordan. How many times have we heard “this is the new Jordan”? How many times have we heard the names Jordan and LeBron James in the same sentence since the Miami Heat won the 2012 NBA Championship? We can’t forget the craziness of Kobe Bryant moving one ring behind MJ two seasons before James officially took himself off of the list of great players who didn’t win a championship.

Has anyone really became Jordan? No. Have we lost out on some key moments of James’ career–sure to be in the Hall of Fame in 20 years–because we were caught in the Jordan-James debate? Yes.

March 4, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) looks on as Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) makes a pass during the game at the Staples Center. Lakers won 93-83. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt in my mind Bryant is a top eight player to ever grace the NBA, but just because he wasn’t like Mike, he’ll be denounced and his overall greatness overshadowed.

Paul is probably the best point guard right now and will eventually be in the conversation of all-time greats such as the previous mentioned guards and many more one-guards already in the hall. I don’t know of anyone who will dispute this. But while he is displaying a season every Clippers fan will never forget, the rest of the sports world is missing bits and pieces of it because we’re listening to Magic compare the Clips to the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers of the 70′s, 80′s and very early 90′s during the ESPN halftime show.

Which in turn means, Magic is comparing Paul to himself. Instead of letting Paul have the spotlight for the great things he’s doing on the court, Magic ruined the rest of the game and my time in the bubble because I was contrasting the two players size, strengths and weaknesses. My focus and attention span for the actual game–in 2013, not 1980–was gone.

While we’re busy finding and reliving moments from the past, we’re missing out on the importance of what we’re witnessing right in front of us. Paul’s amazing season is just another example of how we are overlooking a sensational season in order to prove to people we know more history about the game of basketball than the next guy.

Can we please let sports live in the now instead of the then?

December 25, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Fans of the Los Angeles Clippers have plenty to be thankful for in the year we’re about to leave behind–2012–and unwavering anticipation for the upcoming year that has an insane amount of untapped potential–2013.

Of course, give your kids a kiss on the cheek and tell them 2013 is going to be awesome. Do the same to your wife, dog (family pet) and whomever else you want to embrace the new year with.

Now– with the essential people in life felt appreciated and wrapped up in a cozy figurative blanket of wisdom, hope and protection–the raging Clipper fan instilled deep within needs to be let out in a way it never has been before; literally–never before.

Has there ever been a time since 1970–when the organization was founded–in which the Los Angeles Clippers (not the Lakers) were associated with winning? The red, white and blue has only been to the playoffs eight times and has never been past the second round.

December 27, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Caron Butler (5), power forward Blake Griffin (32), point guard Chris Paul (3), center DeAndre Jordan (6) and shooting guard Willie Green (34) huddle during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012-13 version of the Clippers have won 17 consecutive games (16-0 in December–only the third team in league history to sweep an entire month), are at the top of the NBA standings at 25-6, are considered to be the deepest team in the league, have two definite All-Stars (Chris Paul and Blake Griffin) and the possible NBA regular season MVP.

These kind of facts, news and headlines are something every sports fan hopes to bring in a new year with. Well, Clippers’ fans, this is your time.

LA’s success starts with one man: Chris Paul.

We all knew when he was a top tier player and is capable of leading a team to greatness when he was traded to LA from the New Orleans Hornets. After an up and down year one–LA got to the semifinals for only the third time in team history–surrounded with key injuries and insecurities about other starters on the team, the Clippers still showed they could be something special.

When they beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round–it was because of Chris Paul’s brilliant play. When the Clips were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals–it was because Chris Paul was very beat up and couldn’t play at his highest level.

Now we see what he can do with his supporting cast when he is healthy. The man is having an MVP season averaging 16.3 points per game (36th in the league), 9.6 assists (2nd), 13.7 assists per 48 minutes (2nd), 4.42 assist per turnover (1st), 2.71 steals (1st) and is shooting 4-of-4.4 free throws a game for a 90% clip (10th).

Dec 19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez (21) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t get me wrong, the Miami Heat’s LeBron James is the best player in the NBA and should win the award for the next three or four seasons. But, we all known the voters won’t let that happen and will allow a lesser, although still great, player raise the trophy high above their head before placing it in a display case or on a shelf at home.

Paul can be the next Derrick Rose or Steve Nash (times two).

Without Paul, Griffin is not having the type of impact he is having. Those easy dunks Griffin is throwing down like lightning bolts from Zeus would decrease, maybe by half. Caron Butler, Matt Barnes and Willie Green would not receive as many wide open jumpers. Paul is making the lives of everyone on his team much easier than they’ve had in previous NBA seasons. Guys who have had to create their own shot every rip, now don’t have to. The guys whose shooting percentages have been relatively low for their careers are now going up because of Paul.

He has came into LA with a cape, mask and basketball special powers with a mission to turn things around for his personal career and the team he plays for.

The point guard is doing exactly what he should do–taking advantage of his teammate’s skills, exploiting the Clippers’ opponents weaknesses and leading LA to victory. He isn’t only doing it, but at the best clip in the league.

On ESPN’s NBA Lockdown podcast hosted by Bruce Bowen, Isreal Gutierrez said Paul is having a great season but hinted the Clips’ success should be credited for the depth of the team. He went on to add, the Clippers have four guys who can score 30 points a game (Griffin, Paul, Butler and Jamal Crawford) and very few teams have this kind of fire power.

In essence, Gutierrez is saying Paul is having a great season because of the guys around him. I respect his opinion and see some merit, but at the same time, all these players are able to play their top game because of what Paul is doing.

Who remembers Crawford’s effort last season in Portland? He could score (he has always been able to) but is now playing controlled and is selecting his shot opportunities than he ever has.

How about the fact Griffin is getting the ball in easier to score possibilities than he did before Paul arrived. In his one season without Paul, Griffin shot %50 from the field. Last season it bumped up to 55% and is at 54% on this season.

December 21, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) makes a pass to power forward Blake Griffin (32) as Sacramento Kings point guard Aaron Brooks (3) defends during the game at the Staples Center. Clippers won 97-85. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports Images

The same thing can be said about Butler. He can create his own shot, but why not sit in the corner and wait for Paul to create, catch the ball and knock down an uncontested jumper? His 43% shooting from the 3-point line is the second highest of his 11-year career.

It doesn’t matter how deep the team is with talent because personal talent only gets one man so far. Ask Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Penny Hardaway or Carmelo Anthony how far their personal talent got them on teams, in which, they didn’t do anything else other than score. However, when one guy has the ability to make an entire group of guys gel into one crucial unit on the court with his own game play (offensively and defensively) and player-coach type basketball IQ–the team has no ceiling.

If a player makes everyone on his team better and is on course to set win-column records for a franchise, he should be a front runner for the MVP trophy. Paul is that guy, not a two month wonder, but the definition of a great player who is doing something for his team few others are accomplishing this season.

Isn’t this what you want in an MVP?