Rumors are flying that the most obvious Spur to never have been one will now be one. This will be his 20th season. Much like people climbing Everest, what was once a feat is now something like normal. With modern Sports Science and an ever-increasing financial incentive, already outlier athletes are playing longer every year.
That is to say, I don’t know what to expect from Chris Paul next year. His greatest value will be his wisdom. He’s seen 20 years of high level play, pretty much competing at the second tier of Championship Contender since about 2008. He’s been a thorn in the Spurs’ side even if he is a series 1-2 against us. You might be too young to remember 2008, when he carried that upstart New Orleans team to seven games against the older Spurs squad.
The Spurs swept the Lob City Clips in 2012, but lost in the title-defense season when CP3 lofted that banking runner against Timmy in Game 7. That series was noted for its early emergence of Kawhi Leonard as primary scoring option. He previously had been a spot-up shooter guy.
If all that seems so long ago, well, it was. That was nine years ago. Guys have had entire careers in the time that Chris Paul was on his second team — a six year stint in LA. I mean they are doing shows about that team on FX. Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and JJ Redick are all retired. Redick is going to join the group of coaches who played with or against CP3. Whatever he can bring will be valuable. Surely, the knowledge and off-the-court things will be supremely interesting Wembanyama. Chris Paul has the secrets of longevity to share, along with a legacy as one of the highest paid players in league history.
For we Spurs fans, the ability for CP3 to find Wembanyama when he should get the ball will be the number one thing. The likelihood of this combination of players getting past the very switchy Boston, or even the Mavericks+Klay Thompson is small, but they will grow with a legend on and off the court. The film sessions will be enhanced, the criticism will hit different and be received well. I mean, that little stint in OKC surely helped SGA and Lu Dort see what was required to be good. It all helps.
So, welcome Chris Paul. At least Yours Truly remembers when you were in college.