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Monday was simply one of those evenings for the Hornets. Rookie sensation Chris Paul is getting a good dose of what life in the league is all about. Playing their fifth game in seven days, NOK was in Philly Monday. Paul, who has been outstanding of late, has averaged nearly 42 minutes a game during that stretch. Despite the advantage of those twenty year-old legs, odds are they were a tad weary when the team landed in Philadelphia. Not the best of circumstances with Allen Iverson standing by.

Of course, our favorite rookie got the tough cover on Monday. And they don't get much tougher than Iverson. Suffice it to say, AI was an educator. He scored 24 -- tame by Iverson's standards -- but also provided nine assists. This one was never in doubt. The Sixers were up 18 at the half, coasting the rest of the way.

Chris Paul looked like a rookie in this contest. While he put up a respectable line (9-5-6 with 3 steals), his play wasn't nearly as sharp. But that's the NBA for you. They don't play five games in a week at Wake Forest.

Another first-year point guard, Deron Williams of Utah, has also been impressive. Like Paul, Deron is plenty capable of creating for himself, but he is more in the line of what some might call a "pure" point guard; a classic pass first, run the screen/roll point. He's got a solid build at 6-3 210 pounds, and he defends well. Perfect for Jerry Sloan.

Williams is starting to really come on. In his last six outings, this rook is going at about 17 points and 5 assists. He's still got plenty of work to do. That 29 percent from the floor is an eyesore.

Without a doubt, both these young players have impacted their respective clubs, as expected from players taken in the top five. Point guards like these don't come so easy and certainly not with their brand of savvy. While Utah and NOK will likely continue to struggle, believe better times lie ahead. These kids are smart, selfless, exceptionally talented players. They push, push, push, looking to get everyone involved. They're almost throwbacks in a sense and are a pleasure to watch.

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