We can all agree that Chris Paul has had an exceptional career over the last decade and a half. The point guard made a name for himself for being a great shooter with a basketball IQ of the gods. While he was earlier known for his playmaking abilities and swiftness, Paul slowly transitioned into a leader and mentor. That’s exactly what he proved himself to be with his last two teams.
While CP3 was a great veteran voice for the Phoenix Suns, the All-Star only declined statistically ever since he joined. The Suns desperately needed a dynamic starting lineup to fire from all sides, which is why they trade him for Bradley Beal. Paul ended up on the Wizards but it turned out that they had a plan already in the works. They traded Paul to the Golden State Warriors for a young replacement called Jordan Poole.
Poole entered a bad phase with the Warriors because of what happened last year. The incident with Draymond Green ended up causing a tear in the team’s relationship with him. However, after Chris Paul arrived in the Bay Area, fans began to criticize the Warriors for degrading from Poole. But Golden State saw it from a different angle and that’s exactly what Steve Kerr explained a recent interview.
Steve Kerr showed Chris Paul great respect while stating his role on the Warriors roster
Steve Kerr and Chris Paul have an awkward history with each other but such relationships often build a strong bond eventually. In a recent interview with Sports Illustraded, Kerr highlighted the purpose of Paul’s existence on the Warriors’ roster. He said, “Chris is such an incredible competitor. He’s one of the all time great competitors. He’s so smart, he controls games, he’s thinking three steps ahead all the time. [Paul] gets any shot he wants in the mid-range.”
“Our team last year needed another way to attack. We became a little too one dimensional with Steph [Curry] in high ball screens. We needed another playmaker to give us a different look.”
Steve Kerr on the Warriors adding Chris Paul.
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 6, 2023
He continued, “Our team last year needed another way to attack. We became a little too one dimensional with Steph in high ball screens. We needed another playmaker to give us a different look… Chris is one of the all time great pick-n-roll players. And it’s hugely important, especially in playoff games to have guys like that.” Kerr aptly described who Paul is as a player.
Chris Paul is a extra presence that can create slight distraction when needed. Not to forget that he also shoots 36.9% from three and 47.2% from the field as well. He led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 alongside Devin Booker. The Suns consistently made deep playoff runs during his stint with them as well. Last season, he averaged a decent 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. His presence will also allow Green to take charge over more defensive responsibilities.
