Chris Paul Finds New Purpose With Spurs’ Young Core

After an illustrious career, it felt like an inevitability before Chris Paul won a championship. However, through a 19-year career, an NBA ring is the one prize alluding to the Point God. But, it finally looks like he’s okay with it.

A season after going to the Golden State Warriors to take them back to the promised land, his priorities are different. Paul was his usual efficient self in a bench role in The Bay . However, the same winning did not follow as it usually does.

Prior to his stint in San Francisco, Chris was responsible for an uptick in winning for each of the teams he came to. And it is a mantra he looks to be back on. This season, with a chance to “compete” and impart his infinite wisdom to a wide array of youth, Chris Paul came to the San Antonio Spurs. A one-year, $11 million deal made the signing official for a legendary basketball IQ pairing in CP3 and head coach Gregg Popovich.

Chris Paul becomes the veteran to a young Spurs core

Coming to San Antonio, Paul has the ability to make the Spurs take their next step. After going 22-60 last season, they still remain far from contenders. However, with an intriguing young core led by the already unbelievable Victor Wembanyama , that jump isn’t too far away. As it turns out, CP sees that same opportunity and is ready to contribute along the team’s journey. As he put it simply, “ I love nothing more than the opportunity to play and contribute and hoop.”

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates

Speaking about the opportunity to continue playing at a high level, Paul made special mention of the opportunity to team up with both Wemby and Coach Pop. “ Obviously, I’ve admired Pop from afar for years, and when you’re in this for a while, as he’s done for a long time, there’s so much respect there. Not only for his basketball IQ but just for who he is as a person, as a competitor and all of that…I played against [Wembanyama] this season, and I tell you there’s probably no player in the league that everybody in the league talks about after the game like him. Everybody has to adjust to stuff. “

What Chris Paul to San Antonio brings beyond Wembanyama

It looks clear that the veteran is relishing the opportunity to play alongside a young, new crew. Beyond Wembanyama, many guards could use Paul’s experience and leadership. Tre Jones and Devin Vassell ‘s team has two quality starting guards who could thrive under his leadership.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates

Further, this year’s No. 4 overall pick, Stephon Castle , is perhaps the biggest pet project that the 12-time All-Star will have. A 6-foot-6 combo guard, the Point God will play a huge role in molding him into an NBA player. But it isn’t just a one-way learning curve. Instead, for Paul, it is equally “exciting” about how much he could learn from the youth in SA.

“ Obviously, I’ve admired Pop from afar for years, and when you’re in this for a while, as he’s done for a long time, there’s so much respect there,” Paul said. “Not only for his basketball IQ but just for who he is as a person, as a competitor and all of that…That’s probably been the coolest thing about my career is that, yeah, I’ve went to some teams that are younger or whatnot, but I’m constantly learning from these guys.

“ I got a chance to play with [ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ] in his second year in the league, and I got a chance to learn from him. I got a chance to learn from [ Devin Booker ], Mikal Bridges and all those guys,” Paul added. “ So, I’m excited to share with these guys what I know and whatever they want to know, but I’m also excited to see what I can learn from them.”

The Sacrifice For Chris Paul

A family man through and through, Paul has a wife and two children, who he speaks about fondly in nearly every interview. Last season, in particular, he spoke about the hardships that public life had given him and his family. As he would describe, his daughters had to face harsh comments and rudeness at the school level. As a result, his drive for a ring was far greater than the average player.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates

With his new deal, it looks unlikely that the 19-year veteran will soon be in title contention. Further, as he enters his 39th season, time is running out for the legend to make it back to the Finals. While he does understand the impact, and his love for his family is as strong as ever, his love for basketball continues to drive him.

“My family is everything. My wife is here, my kids are back in L.A., and that’s where they will be during the season. And I love basketball so much that I could be close to home, but if I’m not playing, I’m not happy ,” Paul said. “And I love my family to death. So, when we saw this opportunity, even though it’ll put me away from my family, my family knows me better than anybody and they know that I just want to play. I want to play more than anything. And that’s why I’m grateful for them and more so grateful to be here.”

How important will Chris Paul be in the growth of the San Antonio Spurs? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Chris Paul Finds New Purpose With Spurs’ Young Core appeared first on NBA Analysis Network .