Chris Paul bet on the Phoenix Suns last season. He came off a spectacular season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking them to the 5th position in the Western Conference after nobody believed they could make the postseason.
He did something similar after landing in Phoenix. The Point God joined a talented team with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton leading the way. Coupled with a core of young and experienced players, the Suns got to work to reach the NBA Finals.
Even though not everybody was convinced Paul could succeed in Phoenix, he didn’t care about it. In a recent interview, he revealed the reasons that took him to Arizona when nobody believed in his team. Talking on No Chill with Gilbert Arenas podcast, CP3 explained:
“Some people just think about going to a team. When I thought about going to Phoenix, people didn’t even know that was in my mind. I knew Monty already. Regardless of our relationship in the past, I know his mindset. I know he prepares. Don’t nobody know, that year I played for Monty [in New Orleans] … we started out 11-1. People don’t know that…
“How I operate in this point in my career. I’m like ‘Damn, Devin there he nice.’ I already know he a dog. Willie there. Willie Green, that’s my man. Off the court, I know him he’ll keep my mental side. So I was like man, ‘this could work’.”
In the end, that decision paid off for Paul. He reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career after finishing 2nd in the Western Conference standings. The All-Star point guard created a Big 3 alongside Booker and Ayton, taking this team to the biggest series of all.
They will try to improve their performance next year, but the job will get a lot harder. Now teams will be healthy, with better rosters, ready to dethrone the Suns as West champions.
