Chris Paul has spent the first 19 years of his NBA career playing for some of the San Antonio Spurs’ fiercest Western Conference rivals, leading to an amusing moment between him and head coach Gregg Popovich.
During a recent press conference, Popovich jokingly admitted, “I’ve despised Chris for many years,” to which Paul, flashing a smile, responded, “The feeling is mutual,” as reported by Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News.
While their careers have often put them on opposite sides of intense matchups, there is a deep mutual respect between Paul, one of the NBA’s greatest point guards, and Popovich, one of the league’s most accomplished coaches.
Paul made it clear that he’s excited about the opportunity to learn from Popovich, who in turn, praised the veteran guard’s high basketball IQ. Popovich downplayed the idea that he’d have much to teach the seasoned playmaker.
“I said, ‘Be Chris Paul.’ I probably won’t coach him a lick,” Popovich remarked, as quoted by Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “I’ll just try to infuse what our strategy is, how we play, and what we’re looking to do. I’ll give him information, but he’s gonna play and be Chris Paul.”
At 39, Paul’s role has evolved in recent years. After starting in all of his first 1,214 regular-season NBA games, last season with the Golden State Warriors saw him come off the bench in 40 of his 58 appearances, averaging a career-low 26.4 minutes per game.
According to Iko, the Spurs likely have a bigger role in mind for Paul, which was a key factor in his decision to sign with San Antonio as a free agent after being waived by Golden State.
For Paul, joining the Spurs offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a new team with a rich history of success under Popovich. And for San Antonio, adding a player of Paul’s caliber and experience presents a valuable asset as they work to reestablish themselves as a force in the Western Conference.
Whether as a starter or in a leadership role, Paul’s presence on the team is expected to bring both on-court production and mentorship for the younger Spurs players.
The mutual admiration between Paul and Popovich suggests this new partnership could be one of the more intriguing storylines to follow as the NBA season unfolds.
Pop will give Chris Paul plenty of freedom: https://t.co/x4jn93o2pk
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 2, 2024
