Clippers’ Chris Paul says he’s thinking about playoffs, not MVP award

Chris Paul’s coaches seem to agree:

The Clippers’ point guard is underrated and should be in the conversation for this year’s NBA most valuable player award.

“So I’m a little biased because I still think he’s the best point guard in the league,” Byron Scott, who coached Paul for four-plus seasons in New Orleans, said Sunday before the Clippers beat the Lakers, 106-78. “I think definitely the way he’s played this season, with some of the injuries that they’ve had, he definitely should be in the conversation.”

When Paul was told of Scott’s words, he smiled.

“B Scott is like family to me,” Paul said. “He’s supposed to say something like that. I played for a lot of coaches in the league, B Scott, that’s my guy. After basketball is said and done, we going to be family.”

But, but, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said it too.

Said Rivers: “I just think CP is taken for granted. He should take that as a compliment, really. He’s really good and he’s very consistent at being really good. I think we just kind of take it for granted. I’ve seen it done in a lot of places. But the MVP thing, I think people have already decided between two or three guys. I don’t think anybody else is going to enter into that.”

The top candidates for this year’s MVP award are believed to be Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Cleveland’s LeBron James.

Paul is averaging 19.1 points, a league-leading 10.2 assists, 1.9 steals and only 2.4 turnovers a game. He’s the only player averaging at least 19 points, 10.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals this season.

Asked if he was frustrated that he’s not even being mentioned as MVP, Paul said he has his eyes set on another goal.

“Not at all. I’m trying to get ready for the playoffs.”