Chris Paul shall be taking part in for the Los Angeles Clippers subsequent season as the 2 sides reunite after eight years aside for what shall 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 scenario he is strolling into with this Clippers staff. 

The final time Paul suited up for the Clippers, they had been nonetheless sharing an area 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 scenario centered round Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and should embrace a bench position for simply the second time in his Corridor of Fame profession.

However lineups, rotations and expectations weren’t the primary subjects 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 residence taking part in for the franchise the place he spent most of his profession. 

It was a call Paul mentioned wasn’t troublesome in any respect.  

“It was a no brainer,” Paul mentioned. “I really did an interview earlier than this, and I used to be speaking about how whenever 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, folks 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 having the ability to play so long as I’ve had, I feel the simplest resolution 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.”

Paul sidestepped a query about potential retirement following subsequent season, as he is primarily fascinated about the joy of being round his household full-time proper now. Throughout stops with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and, most not too long ago, the San Antonio Spurs, Paul has lived other than his household. That will not be the case anymore.

When he grew to become a free agent following his season in San Antonio, Paul made it clear that his high precedence was taking part in as near his residence base of L.A. as doable. With that in thoughts, it appears as if his touchdown spot was all the time going to be the Clippers as nothing compares to having the ability to drive again to your loved ones after a house recreation. It is one thing he’ll be capable to 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 crucial,” Paul mentioned. “I did not even care what the staff seemed like. I simply wished to be residence, be right here with the Clippers. I am simply so excited in regards to the strikes that the staff has made this offseason, [Bradley Beal] coming to the staff, 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 could really feel like a roster that might have flourished within the 2010s, however that stage of depth might be L.A.’s secret weapon in a troublesome Western Convention. However depth has by no means actually been the primary downside limiting the Clippers from successful a championship. It has been well being, and if Leonard is not wholesome, this staff does not go very far.

Apart from well being, one thing else the Clippers should navigate is all the new personalities within the locker room now. Whereas Paul is probably not in his prime, he is all the time been often known 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. 

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 present 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 recreation.

On Monday, Paul addressed that particular video, and chalked it as much as each of them simply being rivals.

“We talked in regards to the historical past of being in Houston, and it is humorous as a result of that clip that goes round, there was loads of stuff funnier than that, however that was simply our relationship,” Paul mentioned. “I feel that is what made that staff so good. We obtained on one another in numerous conditions, however that staff, I can actually 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 gymnasium 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 document and a seven-game first-round exit to the Denver Nuggets, will definitely be probably the most intriguing groups within the West subsequent season. Including Paul to the rotation is barely a part of the rationale why. Regardless of the harm considerations and an growing older roster, this Clippers staff — if totally wholesome — may problem the defending champion Thunder within the West. They at the moment have +1800 odds to win the title subsequent season at FanDuel, the sixth-best odds within the West.

So much has to go proper between at times for that to occur, however Paul appears to assume it is a staff able to making a championship run subsequent season.