An excellent player who had a superb year, but a long step down from the achievements of Phelps and Bolt.

Of the athletes currently on this list, Paul would be my choice. Chris Paul carried a team that was otherwise somewhat limited in talent to one of the best records in the West last season, and while they struggled a little early this year, they're getting back on track, once again largely to Chris Paul, who has done little more than put up numbers that make you have to consider putting him in the conversation with Magic, Stockton, and Isiah Thomas.