Eleven-time All-Star Chris Paul has brought a winning mentality to every team he has played for during his 17 seasons in the NBA.
Still, in a league where a player’s success is measured in titles rather than just individual accomplishments, Chris Paul has come to terms on whether he needs a chip to validate his career.
“Years ago, if you had asked me that, while you were talking, my stomach would have started getting tight,” Paul told J.J. Redick during Paul’s interview for The Old Man & the Three podcast.
CP3 and the Phoenix Suns were just two games away from their first Larry O’Brien trophy before losing four straight to the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
It was a tough ending for the underdog Suns, who had far surpassed everyone’s expectations for the team.
“I’m so at peace, said Paul on not winning a title. “But when I say that, man, I’m gonna fight my a**off to win this championship this year, the next year, whatever it may be.”
CP3 was the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year playing for New Orleans.
He played six seasons with the team before he was traded to the LA Clippers, and Lob City was born.
The Clips never got as far as many predicted, and Paul was traded to Houston and then Oklahoma City before landing in Phoenix, where he was teamed up with young talent Devin Booker.
Paul brought his experience as a six-time league-leader in steals, four-time assist leader, nine-time All-Defensive team selection, and 10-time All-NBA selection to the upstart Suns.
“I’m so grateful and blessed that I still get to play,” said the 36-year-old Paul.
Paul said he believes people often forget to enjoy “the journey” and the “small victories” along the way, but he still has his eyes on the ultimate prize.
“We know what the ultimate goal is, to win a championship.”
