Final 2014-15 Season Grades for Every L.A. Clippers Player | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Then, there's Chris Paul, the man who has the reputation of "Best point guard of his generation," but who has somehow become the forgotten-about floor general of the league's elite.

Yes, he's never been to a conference final. And yes, his Clippers have been eliminated from the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion two seasons in a row (blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Rockets this year, and experiencing that Game 5 collapse in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder during 2014). But aside from a one-minute stretch against OKC when CP simply forgot how to play basketball, he's still been regular old Chris Paul.

The losses aren't his fault.

Paul still averaged 26.3 points and 10.3 assists on 51-35-94 shooting over the final three defeats to Houston. He played like Chris Paul during Game 7, too, going for 26 and 10 to complement his four steals during a match when most of his teammates decided not to show. 

Curry might be the best point guard in the league now, but it's hard to argue CP is anything other than a top-five or -six player, as well, especially once you consider his bullish defense and the fact he actually posted one of the most efficient seasons of his career during 2014-15. 

There's a reason Paul has escaped most of the "You can't win with him in the postseason" narrative even though he hasn't made it deep into the playoff bracket: It wouldn't be deserved criticism. Maybe in a year, if the Clippers are able to compile a deeper roster, he'll end the little talk there is for good.

Follow Fred Katz on Twitter at @FredKatz.