The San Antonio Spurs look like a much-improved team through 15 games this season despite being one game under .500. They have a chance to even their record Thursday night when they host the Utah Jazz in an NBA Cup matchup. The franchise’s future, Victor Wembanyama, has been ruled out. However, another critical piece to the Spurs roster will be in uniform, and he relishes games like these and the opportunity he has to play on such a young team.
Spurs Veteran Relishes Competitiveness Above All Else
Spurs Veteran Chris Paul Talks About Why He’s In San Antonio
Spurs 20-year veteran Chris Paul, who many believe to be one of the best point guards in NBA history, has taken on a much more focused leadership and mentoring role this season. His leadership was one of the reasons Gregg Popovich and the Spurs wanted Paul, and he has so far played his role to a tee. The Spurs are chock-full of young talent, with Wemby being the centerpiece. But others like Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, and Jeremy Sochan compile for one of the youngest cores in the league, and Paul fills in as the wise, experienced veteran.
The 12x All-Star is one of the oldest players in the NBA, soon to turn 40, only a few months after his close friend LeBron James also turns 40. CP3’s greatest seasons are behind him. Yet, he is still an elite competitor, consistent contributor, and respected presence on the floor and in the locker room. The Spurs will likely not contend for a championship this year. However, that isn’t getting in the way of what Paul stands for and has relished his entire career. In a postgame interview following the Spurs win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Paul spoke about what he brings to the young team he plays on.
“I don’t know what that ‘playing for nothing’ is about. Luckily, every year, regardless of championship or not, every year the team’s I’ve been on have been competitive. So, I wanted to come here, just bring that mindset, bring that attitude, and let these guys know that in order to win games, first and foremost, they’ve got to believe.”
Fire Still Burns
It’s still all about competitiveness for a man who has never won a championship. He may very well never win one. That’s the incredible thing about Paul, though. Even after two decades in the NBA and never winning it all, the fire still burns to compete. That fire is precisely what the Spurs need from Paul, given their youth and inexperience. You know there is deep character in a player who, even at his age, in a career far closer to being over rather than beginning, remains willing to get up every day and be an example to his team. It’s true professionalism at its finest.
Wembanyama is a given here, but think about a rookie player like Castle in his first year. The wealth of knowledge he can glean from Paul is endless. It’s more than knowledge of how to win games, too. CP3 also offers the taste of bringing a competitive nature with you into every arena, home or away, every night. Castle is in the perfect spot to begin his NBA career. The same can be said for Vassell and Sochan—all gifted and talented players. Paul is a shining example of leadership in the NBA, and the Spurs have the perfect partnership with Paul. San Antonio will benefit from this. In the meantime, watch them rise.
