Spurs’ Chris Paul says chance to play trumped chasing ring

NBA veteran Chris Paul has revealed that all he wanted was a chance to compete and play at the top level. Paul has moved to the San Antonio Spurs, a team which had a 22-60 record in the previous season.

However, Paul didn’t have much game time with the Golden State Warriors in the last edition and thus signed a one-year contract with the Spurs. 

“I love nothing more than the opportunity to play and contribute and hoop,” Paul said at his introductory news conference Tuesday after agreeing to a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Paul could have played in the Los Angeles area, where his family lives but revealed that playing basketball brings the most happiness in his life and his family understands the same.

“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,” Paul said. “And I love basketball so much that I could be close to home, but if I’m not playing, I’m not happy.

“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.”

Paul will team up with veteran head coach Gregg Popovich for the Spurs and said it will be his honor and privilege to work with the 75-year-old.

“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.”

The 39-year-old said Victor Wembanyama is the cynosure of all eyes and he can’t wait to see him take giant strides at the top level.

“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,” Paul said. “Everybody has to adjust to stuff.”