How Chris Paul puts on his crazy face

This story appears in ESPN The Magazine's April 13 Point Guard Issue. Subscribe today!

The Ranking of the Guard

Overall Score

9.09

Leadership

9.29

Average: 6.10

Rank: 1st

Defense

8.42

Average: 5.93

Rank: 1st

Passing/Playmaking

9.61

Average: 6.80

Rank: 1st

Shooting/Scoring

8.77

Average: 6.65

Rank: 5th

I'M LIKE A maniac when it comes to basketball. I watch so much basketball. I just watch it and study it all the time. When we're on the road, I'm always on Synergy or YouTube, religiously, watching our games and all the shots I took. When I'm at home, I'll watch games on my iPad. They constantly update it for me, with every shot I've taken this season. A lot of times, I'll have someone drive me to the game so I can watch game film -- and so I don't get too mad about the traffic. From the time I get into the car until I arrive at the arena, my mind is always on the game.

When the game starts, that's when I become a different person. I "click out" during the jump ball. I have a lot of friends in the league, but they know: The moment that ball goes up, I'm different. On the court, I'm playing, so I'm more intense. It's like a different world. I'm going to do anything I have to do to win. It's a mindset.

I know what I was like when I was in my first years in the league. When we'd play Phoenix, I wanted to win the game, but I also wanted to go at Steve Nash. He was the guy, so I needed to see what I had against him. And I know guys are coming at me now -- but now I just want to win the game.

After the game's over, it might take me awhile to get over what just happened. A lot of times, my wife hears it on the way home. We get home and we may be eating dinner and I may just sit there, shaking my head. ... She knows what it is already.