WESTWEGO ― Chris Paul wasn’t going to be denied.

In all actuality, he likely was a little bit miffed.

James Posey thought he had a shot.

Chris Paul

As practice ended Tuesday afternoon in the Alario Center, Posey continually bet that he could beat New Orleans’ All-Star point guard at a shooting contest.

He didn’t come close.

And even though Paul made 5-of-7 shots from midcourt at one point during the challenge, his head coach thinks the MVP candidate from a year ago can still go further.

“I see Chris just getting better,” Byron Scott said. “He’s 23 years old. There’s a league MVP in his future. And hopefully there’s an NBA championship in his future.”

Paul can get better. That’s not a good thing for opponents.

At 9:30 p.m. tonight in California, Paul and the Hornets make their regular season debut against Golden State. Cameras – and the Warriors’ attention – will be squarely on the man called CP3.

Paul’s third year was, by all intents and purpose, a breakout season. He averaged career highs in points (21.1), assists (11.6) and steals (2.7).

He finished second in MVP voting. He was first-team All-NBA. He was second-team defensive. And he was an All-Star, where he recorded 16 points and 14 assists, becoming only the fourth player to have at least 14 points and 14 assists in an All-Star game.

And still he and Scott think he can get better.

“We talked about improving on the defensive end,” Scott said. “I know his offense. He can do anything and get anywhere with the ball that he wants.”

“I have to play more efficient,” Paul said. “Play better defense. Make more shots. Everything. Just become more of a complete player.”

That should be a scary thought for the rest of the NBA.

Paul became the first player in more than 15 seasons to average 20-plus points while dishing out 10-plus assists per game.

He had 11 games where he scored more than 20 points and recorded more than 15 assists.

The rest of the NBA? Well, the other teams combined for only eight such games.

The face of the Hornets isn’t looking for more individual accomplishments at this point. Now he’s onto team-oriented ones.

“To win a championship,” Paul said when asked how he could build on this past season. “That’s my main focus this year. It’s not individual accolades and things like that. It’s what I have to do to be a better player to win a championship.”

Paul signed an extension in July for a reported three years and $15 million per year, with an option for a fourth year and even more money.

The franchise knows what he means to it, and so do his teammates.

“He’s impressive if you’re around here every day,” first-year Hornet forward James Posey said. “He’s the type of player where he’s very exciting to watch. You never expect to see it, but when you do, you’re like, ‘Wow.’ ”

Added Hornets center Tyson Chandler, “He made huge strides and had an excellent season last year. And he also is coming into the season with a target on his back. Night in, night out, he’s got to understand that guys are going to give him their best game.

“That’s something I think he’s prepared for.”

Bradley Handwerger can be reached at bhandwerger@wwltv.com or 504-529-6439.