Chris Paul tells GQ magazine that he preferred going to the Los Angeles Clippers as opposed to the Los Angeles Lakers, which obviously worked out for all parties involved. Paul and Blake Griffin have lifted the Clip Joint to higher levels, and now higher expectations, than the franchise had reached previously with Lob City in full effect.
The Lakers now have their super team in place with the additions of point guard Steve Nash and center Dwight Howard. If the CP3 for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom deal wasn’t overturned by NBA Commissioner David Stern, the additions for both Nash and/or Howard would have been difficult and likely impossible. But, who knows and, really, does it matter? Both L.A. squads are strong going into the 2012-13 NBA season.
What’s interesting is that Paul says he preferred the historically hapless Clippers over the highly respected and legendary Lakers franchise according to the GQ interview:
From his perch at the head table, CP3 assures me that he preferred the Clippers to the Lakers all along. “They had the better pieces,” he says, “and winning with the Clippers would be legendary.”
While CP3 is still linking up with a superstar, which seems to be the way of the present day NBA, it wouldn’t have been the same as if he had joined Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. That would have been a strong three-headed monster at the most important positions – point guard and center – as well as having Kobe, a five-time NBA champion.
To some degree, it’s refreshing to hear that an athlete of Paul’s caliber is looking forward to a challenge, and winning with the Clippers would be just that. Legendary as he says and despite not wearing the gold and purple, a color that signifies royalty, CP3 would indeed be a king of the city should he and Griffin lead the Clippers to a title.