Chris Paul recently revealed an intriguing chapter from his past during an appearance on “The Draymond Green Show” podcast. The Warriors point guard shared how, back in college, he and JJ Redick couldn’t stand each other, with their animosity reaching the point of a physical altercation.
“So in college, me and JJ couldn’t stand each other. We got in a fight, got into it. And I’ll never forget. I was standing in my closet in L.A. when Doc Rivers hit me and told me we had a chance to get JJ Redick.”
“And when I say I ain’t like JJ, I could not stand JJ. And as soon as Doc said it, I said, ‘Let’s get him.’ Because I know guys that are competitors, we got a lot alike.”
“We alike in a lot of ways and that’s why, I mean, I’m sure we’ll talk about it at some point, but when the trade happened, for me to come to the Warriors and knowing our history, I knew that that would be a conversation, but I knew basketball-wise, he ain’t on the same type of energy I’m on.”
"When Doc Rivers hit me and told me we had a chance to get JJ Redick, and when I say I ain't like JJ, I could not stand [him]… I said, Let's get him. Because I know guys that are competitors, we got a lot alike."
—Chris Paul 😅
(via @TheVolumeSports)pic.twitter.com/bODt7ndLGo
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 26, 2024
Reflecting on his collegiate rivalry with Redick, Paul recalled a moment when Doc Rivers, the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers at the time, informed him about the opportunity to acquire Redick. Despite their history of animosity, Paul expressed a sudden willingness to bring Redick to Los Angeles, recognizing the competitive spirit they shared.
In a surprising turn of events, Paul’s decision to welcome Redick to the Clippers turned out to be a pivotal move. The two players, initially fierce rivals, found common ground and mutual respect once they became teammates. This revelation sheds light on the complexity of player relationships in the NBA, where on-court conflicts can evolve into strong bonds when players join forces on the same team.
Paul further expanded on this theme during the podcast, drawing parallels between his history with Redick and his recent move to the Golden State Warriors. Despite past conflicts with Draymond Green and other Warriors players, Paul acknowledged the potential for on-court success, emphasizing the importance of shared competitive energy.
Interestingly, Redick had previously shared his side of the story in a podcast interview in December 2022. He discussed the initial apprehension about joining the Clippers and the unexpected connection he developed with Paul during a chance meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding. Their camaraderie off the court ultimately translated into successful on-court chemistry, contributing to the Clippers’ competitive seasons.
This narrative highlights the dynamic nature of relationships in professional basketball, where players with a history of animosity can find common ground and thrive as teammates. It also underscores the significance of shared competitiveness and mutual understanding in building successful partnerships on the basketball court.
Chris Paul And Draymond Green Were Rivals Before Joining The Warriors
Before becoming teammates with the Golden State Warriors, Chris Paul and Draymond Green had a history as on-court rivals. Their competitive encounters featured a few altercations, and the two players were not known for being close friends.
However, both Green and Paul acknowledged their shared competitiveness and basketball IQ, believing they could make their partnership work when the opportunity arose.
Upon joining forces with the Warriors, Paul and Green aimed to leverage their individual strengths and collective understanding of the game to achieve success on the court. Despite facing challenges, such as injuries and suspensions, the duo remained optimistic about the potential for synergy.
The Warriors, currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 19-23, hope to overcome their setbacks in the second half of the season and showcase the collaborative prowess of their two seasoned and competitive leaders.
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