Chris Paul is excited to return to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Don’t underestimate the power of excitement. It’s always better than hearing “Oh crap, I’m still playing here?”
According to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Paul harbors no such resentment or regret about remaining in Los Angeles:
“I’m excited,” Paul told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “I’m excited about everything that’s going on with the team. I talked to my wife about it because I told her it was going to be a family decision. We even let ‘Little Chris’ chime in on it. It’s pretty cool to know where you’re going to be and to know you’re somewhere where you’re wanted. The fans have been amazing. I told my wife I felt like a rookie all over again just because I’m excited about the unexpected.”
How sweet. And weird.
Paul has spent the last two seasons as a member of the Clippers and it’s still odd to hear a superstar of any kind concede that he’s excited to play for a team that is owned by Donald Sterling. Seriously, it just doesn’t feel right.
Nevertheless, Paul’s jubilance is clearly genuine. He had 107 million reasons to stay, after all. That the Clippers have given him what appears to be unconditional control of the franchise doesn’t hurt either. Anything he wants done, and that can realistically be done, will likely be done.
Bringing in Doc Rivers helped a great deal as well. Though I don’t think Paul would have abandoned ship had the Clippers not procured him from the Boston Celtics, knowing that he was going to be coached by one of the greatest sideline figures in the game had to simplify his decision even more.
“I’m so excited to play for him,” Paul said. “Words can’t describe it. Doc is amazing. Everything that has happened doesn’t automatically translate into wins but it gives you an opportunity to win so I’m excited about the process.”
Personally, I’m with Paul on this one. Everything the Clippers have done doesn’t automatically translate into wins. Los Angeles is arguably a super-team, but they might not even be a top-four team in the West next season.
The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors can all be considered better on paper. Depending on how healthy the Los Angeles Lakers are and how well the Memphis Grizzlies play, they too could wind up faring better than the Clippers.
To be sure, I’m not saying the Clippers are a bunch of duds. Trading for J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley, signing Darren Collison and re-signing Matt Barnes were all good moves. And Blake Griffin is a really good player. And Doc a really awesome coach. The Clippers are just a really good team.
Championship caliber, though? I have my doubts.
In the age of super-teams, the Clippers remind me of a more prominent version of the New York Knicks. That may be going a little too far, but think about it. Paul is really the only superstar. Griffin is overrated and injury prone, that’s a fact. But let’s give him star status anyway. He likely deserves it. What else do the Clippers have?
DeAndre Jordan, Jamal Crawford, Collison, Redick and Barnes, among others for a terrific supporting cast, but not one that may be able to withstand the postseason runs of a healthy Thunder and Spurs, or competent Rockets and Warriors. If anything, the Clippers are more of a regular-season team (like the Knicks). They’ll push 60 wins, but they will be exposed in the postseason.
Though I could be wrong. The Clippers may prove to be legitimate contenders, rendering me a fool. But I could also be right, in which case I wonder if Paul will be as excited to play for the Clippers beyond next season if I am.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
