Chris Paul might be taking part in for the Los Angeles Clippers subsequent season as the 2 sides reunite after eight years aside for what might be his twenty first NBA season. All of the nostalgia that comes with Paul returning to the Clippers is warranted, however that is a wholly totally different state of affairs he is strolling into with this Clippers crew.
The final time Paul suited up for the Clippers, they had been nonetheless sharing an enviornment with the Los Angeles Lakers. There’s additionally the truth that Paul will not be the franchise centerpiece he as soon as was, although he hasn’t been that since he left L.A. in 2017. Paul’s stepping right into a state of affairs centered round Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and must embrace a bench function for simply the second time in his Corridor of Fame profession.
However lineups, rotations and expectations weren’t the principle matters of dialog on Monday when the 40-year-old Paul was re-introduced as a member of the Clippers. As a substitute, the overarching theme was about how excited Paul is to be again house taking part in for the franchise the place he spent most of his profession.
It was a call Paul stated wasn’t tough in any respect.
“It was a no brainer,” Paul said. “I really did an interview earlier than this, and I used to be speaking about how if you’re on this way of life or world for some time, it is lots of people who would attempt to inform your story for you. I used to be really on trip with my household, and also you see all of the tales, individuals saying, ‘He’ll solely go right here if he is beginning or if he is doing this.’ I feel for me, the gratitude that I’ve for with the ability to play so long as I’ve had, I feel the best choice in that is sitting proper up right here, my household. It is getting an opportunity to be round them and be round much more, and get an opportunity to compete and play for a championship.”
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Paul sidestepped a query about potential retirement following subsequent season, as he is primarily serious about the thrill of being round his household full-time proper now. Throughout stops with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and, most lately, the San Antonio Spurs, Paul has lived other than his household. That will not be the case anymore.
When he turned a free agent following his season in San Antonio, Paul made it clear that his high precedence was taking part in as near his house base of L.A. as doable. With that in thoughts, it appears as if his touchdown spot was at all times going to be the Clippers as nothing compares to with the ability to drive again to your loved ones after a house sport. It is one thing he’ll be capable of do for the primary time in six years.
“If I am actually sincere, I wished to get again and play right here by any means vital,” Paul stated. “I did not even care what the crew appeared like. I simply wished to be house, be right here with the Clippers. I am simply so excited concerning the strikes that the crew has made this offseason, [Bradley Beal] coming to the crew, Brook Lopez, all of the younger guys. I talked to James [Harden], I talked to Kawhi [Leonard]. I am much more enthusiastic about what I feel we now have an opportunity to do.”
How does Chris Paul match with the Clippers?
The Clippers actually reloaded this offseason, including Beal, Lopez, Paul and John Collins to the roster. It might really feel like a roster that may have flourished within the 2010s, however that degree of depth may very well be L.A.’s secret weapon in a tricky Western Convention. However depth has by no means actually been the principle drawback limiting the Clippers from successful a championship. It has been well being, and if Leonard is not wholesome, this crew does not go very far.
Apart from well being, one thing else the Clippers must navigate is the entire new personalities within the locker room now. Whereas Paul might not be in his prime, he is at all times been referred to as a vocal chief in each locker room he steps in. He is a fierce competitor that generally might not resonate with everybody, and he is beforehand had heated interactions with Harden which have made the rounds on social media earlier than.
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When Paul’s signing with the Clippers was introduced, one particular interplay between he and Harden resurfaced from their taking part in days in Houston. Paul tried to offer Harden a fist bump, just for the previous Rockets star to slap his hand away. The 2 then continued in what gave the impression to be an argument about one thing that simply occurred within the sport.
On Monday, Paul addressed that particular video, and chalked it as much as each of them simply being opponents.
“We talked concerning the historical past of being in Houston, and it is humorous as a result of that clip that goes round, there was plenty of stuff funnier than that, however that was simply our relationship,” Paul stated. “I feel that is what made that crew so good. We received on one another in numerous conditions, however that crew, I can truthfully say was one of many funnest I’ve ever been on in my profession. And James is a type of guys that likes to be within the fitness center all day lengthy. So it is wild that you just get this chance once more after these two years and the success that we had. We undoubtedly know we had unfinished enterprise, so we get an opportunity to see what is going on on right here.”
The Clippers, coming off a 50-32 report and a seven-game first-round exit to the Denver Nuggets, will definitely be one of the vital intriguing groups within the West subsequent season. Including Paul to the rotation is barely a part of the explanation why. Regardless of the damage considerations and an getting old roster, this Clippers crew — if totally wholesome — might problem the defending champion Thunder within the West. They at present have +1800 odds to win the title subsequent season at FanDuel, the sixth-best odds within the West.
Rather a lot has to go proper between from time to time for that to occur, however Paul appears to assume this can be a crew able to making a championship run subsequent season.