National Basketball Association

Pictures of Pelicans History: Chris Paul Breaks Steals Record

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Pelican Debrief’s “Pictures of Pelicans History” is a series looking at the best and worst moments in the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets history.

In the last weeks of 2008, Chris Paul made history for the then-New Orleans Hornets by breaking Alvin Robertson’s steals record. Rory Callais remembers witnessing that moment in this installment of “Pictures”.

Everyone knew it was coming. There was no “if”, only “when.” With every juke and dive, the crowd gasped. We were ready; maybe even more ready than him. And then, near the end of two quarters dripping with agonizing anticipation, it finally happened: Tony Parker crossed half court and attempted a pass. But he did not complete that pass. Instead, Chris Paul logged his first steal of the night. In fact, Paul had just logged a steal in his 107th consecutive regular season game, breaking a 22-year-old record and making history.

We’ll get back to that moment. First, we must establish a bit of context.

Paul broke Alvin Robertson’s consecutive game steals record at a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 17, 2008. Pre-worst-playoff-loss-ever against the Denver Nuggets that following postseason. Pre-torn meniscus. Pre-NBA ownership of the team. Pre-trade demands. Pre-David Stern vetoing a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Pre-Chris Paul demanding a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. Pre-the downward spiral that led to the Hornets bottoming out and landing Anthony Davis with the first pick of the 2012 draft.

The future was still bright for Hornets fans that night, but the future as well as the history paled in that moment. Strangely, that moment was about something far more fundamental than records: revenge. This was also the first time the Spurs set foot inside the then-New Orleans Arena since they beat the Hornets in a devastating Game 7 of the second round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

New Orleans was poised to become the next dynasty of the Western Conference. The Hornets had a 56-win 2007-08 season that landed them the second seed in the playoffs. After dispatching the Dallas Mavericks, the Pelicans went up 2-0 in their first two games against San Antonio. The Spurs slowly clawed back, forcing a game 7. San Antonio won and forever changed the trajectory of the franchise.

Fans obviously wanted to see Chris Paul – then the undisputed golden boy of New Orleans basketball – officially become historically great. But the fact that it could come against the Spurs was an exclamation point that made fans ravenous with excitement.

Which brings us back to that moment.

Tony Parker crossed half court, viewed the landscape, and attempted a pass that would have landed against most point guards. But Chris Paul was not most point guards. He immediately sniffed it out and deflected the ball to the other side of the court. I’d love to tell you what immediately followed, but I was too busy losing my mind and screaming my throat hoarse alongside the other 16,000 Hornets fans in attendance.

I will, however, tell you what I do remember. The crowd went berserk, and Spurs coach Gregg Poppovich called a timeout. Both teams vacated the court to head to their respective benches. Except Chris Paul. Paul remained at half court not to gloat, but to sport a bashful smile and raise a hand to the crowd acknowledging the moment. His fundamental humanity in the face of his biggest accomplishment was startling. It was as if Paul himself just realized what had happened, and in response wanted to humbly thank us.

But that was par for the course for Paul’s tenure in New Orleans. He rivaled Pete Maravich as the most beloved figure in the history of New Orleans basketball, and he single-handedly saved the sport in the city post-Katrina. Chris Paul established himself as a community leader during his time in New Orleans, serving the area in any capacity he could. It is telling that no Chris Paul jerseys were burned the day he left New Orleans. Paul’s accomplishments on and off the court still reverberate through New Orleans today. Watching him meekly wave in gratitude at the overwhelming applause was hardly a surprise for Hornets fans.

Like I said before – everyone knew it was coming.