Kendra Andrews, ESPN
LAS VEGAS — Chris Paul has historical past with the Golden State Warriors. For years, it used to be as a rival. Now, it’s as a member of the group.
“My family couldn’t believe it either,” Paul mentioned at his introductory information convention Sunday at summer season league.
It’s been a few weeks since Paul was traded to the Warriors in a offer that despatched Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards.
The Warriors sought after to obtain a participant they may agree with to run their 2nd unit — be the ground basic, arrange their younger bench and take charge of the ball.
Paul mentioned he hasn’t spoken to the Warriors or educator Steve Kerr concerning the intricacies of his unused position, or whether or not he’ll even come off the bench, one thing he hasn’t ever finished in his 18-year NBA occupation.
“At the end of the day, it’s basketball,” Paul mentioned. “I’m going into a situation with a bunch of guys who’ve been playing together for a long time. I’m not as worried about it as everybody else is. … We’ll figure all of that stuff out at camp.”
He persevered: “You don’t have the answers right now. We’ll practice, and I’m sure there will be things I’ve got to learn about them, they’ve got to learn about me, but that’s the case with any team.”
Paul mentioned he hasn’t ever performed with any person who can develop his shot like Stephen Curry does. Nor has he performed with any person like Klay Thompson, who as soon as scored 60 issues in a recreation as he dribbled the ball simply 11 instances. Paul additionally famous how Draymond Green uniquely creates for others.
However he turned around again to emphasise how each and every unused staff has to learn how to paintings in combination, pointing to his pairings with Devin Booker and JJ Redick.
Paul does have familiarity with the cornerstones of the Warriors’ franchise from all in their duels years in the past.
For a number of seasons, Paul’s activity in opposition to Blonde Climate used to be to preserve Curry. In the meantime, it used to be Thompson’s activity to preserve Paul. And Inexperienced’s aggressive nature is strictly the type of fireplace Paul sees in himself.
However as level-headed as Paul is, there’s nonetheless some disbelief.
In a fitness center about 20 mins off the Las Vegas strip, Paul had a exercise with Curry — the primary day that they had practiced in combination since 2009.
“There are times when you get a chance to reflect,” Paul mentioned. “Even working out today, we were laughing. … It’s a great opportunity and a blessing to be doing this at our age, because he ain’t young, either.”
Sooner than Paul used to be traded, there have been questions on whether or not the 12-time All-Celebrity used to be nearing the top of his occupation — particularly nearest lacking 23 video games closing season on account of shock.
Paul doesn’t view his stint with Blonde Climate as a last curtain — “no question,” he mentioned.
“This is a sport. This is fun. It’s a job, but I get to play basketball every day and say that’s my way of life. … I wouldn’t spend this time training and playing and hooping, the time away from my family if I didn’t love it the way I do. That’s not going to change.”
