The Golden State Warriors may have to mend some fences before Chris Paul arrives by the Bay, if the history between the two sides is any indication.
History doesn’t favor this Chris Paul-Golden State Warriors partnership, though it has nothing to do with the present. Hence, there’s no time like now for Paul and the Dubs to put aside their longstanding rivalry.
Paul has fought against Golden State for years, whether it be with the Clippers, Suns, Thunder or Rockets. Yet, the Warriors often prevail, as most dynasties do. Now, it’s time for CP3 to chase his own ring on the team that has so often stood in the way of his opportunity.
Warriors have some explaining to do with Chris Paul
Back in 2019, the Dubs not only defeated Paul, but humiliated him as well. Golden State defeated Paul’s Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. As they ran down the hallway, they chanted some obscenities directed at CP3, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The following is per Windhorst’s appearance on The Hoop Collective:
“This is what I remember: I am in the hallway outside the Warriors locker room as they’re coming off the court. First off, even though they were three time champions at that point, they celebrated winning that series and eliminating the Rockets on their homecourt without Kevin Durant, probably akin to as if they had won the Western Conference for the first time. They were just short of dumping water on each other, that’s how excited they were. As they were running down the hallway to the locker room, they were shouting down the hall towards the Rockets locker room “F*** Chris Paul! F*** Chris Paul!” They were done with him by then, and here we are four short years later, Chris Paul is a Warrior.”
Paul is a professional. Surely, he values his legacy more than a few harsh words directed towards him from four years ago. A quick apology should do, if Paul is even aware of this.
NBA careers like Paul’s span several decades. At this point, he’s heard it all. But don’t consider it water under the bridge until Golden State’s leaders step to the plate.