This season was supposed to be a victory lap for Chris Paul. He is one of the greatest point guards the NBA has ever seen. He spent the first half of his career as an MVP candidate, firmly as one of the best players in the entire NBA.
The twilight of his career has been graceful. He is responsible for the rtebuild/resurgence of the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, and, to a lesser extent, the San Antonio Spurs. He quickly became the best mentor in the league, ready to pass the torch.
After losing in the only Finals appearance of his career in 2021, it became quickly apparent that Paul likely would never win a title, at least not as a key contributor. Despite his excellence, he would ride off into the sunset as an all-time great who just couldn’t get the job done.
No matter. He signed his final contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent more time than anywhere else. As the best player in franchise history, it was agreed that he would be more player than coach, but he would get his farewell tour.
Instead, after 21 games and 16 appearances, he was waived unceremoniously.
What the hell happened?
The End of Chris Paul’s Career Was Perfectionally Predictable
Paul is a lot of things.
Great passer? Check. One of the best competitors ever? You bet. Elite defender? Has been for years!
He holds himself to a high standard and has 12 All-Star nods and nine All-Defensive selections to prove that his methods work.
He expects the exact same from his teammates. That’s why Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama were all thrilled to play with him.
“His guidance with that has been great. Not only as all the mentorship and stuff, but just being there as a friend. He’s been special.” -Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
How does that intensity and “I know more than you” attitude translate to a team full of veterans? We’ve seen it pan out before. In 2023, he was traded the Golden State Warriors, who were hoping he could be the missing piece in getting them back to the Finals. Instead, he ended up coming off the bench, having the worst season of his career.
Last season, the Clippers won 50 games. They added Paul, Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, and John Collins. They are currently 5-16, one of the worst teams in the NBA. Did Paul take all of the losses in stride? Apparently not.
“Paul has been vocal in holding management, coaches, and players accountable, which the team felt became disruptive,” reported insider Shams Charania. “Specifically: Ty Lue was not on speaking terms with Paul for several weeks.”
Clippers’ superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have not responded well to tough love in the past. In 2018, Tony Parker criticized Leonard for not returning from an injury. Parker said publicly that he suffered an injury “one hundred times worse” and came back faster.
Leonard responded by demanding a trade.
While with the Houston Rockets, “Harden basically opted not to participate in the Rockets’ offense when the ball wasn’t in his hands,” and the teammate who called him out was later traded at Harden’s behest.
That teammate? Chris Paul.
Before he signed with the Clippers, it was well-known that Paul could no longer bring elite play to whichever team he ended up on, but he would bring a winning and intense attitude.
The Clippers’ roster, specifically Harden and Leonard, has had trouble with the tough love approach before. In the midst of one of the most disappointing seasons in NBA history, LA decided that having an adult in the room to hold the stars accountable wasn’t worth it.
It’s easy to deduce why the franchise has never even made the Finals, let alone won one.
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