The Thunder went into the season open-minded about their future after acquiring Chris Paul from the Rockets and Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Clippers. They’re still interested in hearing what teams are willing to offer before the trade deadline, but their 23-19 record should be enough to carry them into the playoffs, a stunning accomplishment after trading away Russell Westbrook and George.
Chris Paul Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 05/06/85
Height: 6-1 / 1.85
Weight:175 lbs. / 79.4 kg.
Salary: $38,506,482
Born: 05/06/85
Height: 6-1 / 1.85
Weight:175 lbs. / 79.4 kg.
Salary: $38,506,482
With Dwight Howard successfully reunited with the Lakers, what about Chris Paul? “That’s a lot of salary to match, the Clippers would have to include Beverley, and the Thunder fans aren’t going to want that,” he said, referring to the incident when Westbrook suffered a season-ending injury after colliding with Beverley in the 2013 playoffs.
Where he wants to end his career. Chris Paul: “Last year was Houston. When I was in L.A., I wanted to end it there. Where I want to end my career is somewhere where you’re appreciated. It sounds like a weird answer, but that’s been the coolest part even right now in Oklahoma. I started my career there. Life happened and I ended up there, and it’s been great being back and around everyone.”
Chris Paul: “I chose a plant-based life. So far, so good. Not easy. But for me it’s working. I started plant-based in June. I went cold turkey. I tell you: I was itching. I thought I needed a chicken wing or something. But somehow I made it through.”
Chris Paul: “I do feel really good right now. I think the biggest change for me is the aches and pains of the season. I started working out and training and I got to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and I thought, am I not lifting hard enough? Am I not training hard enough? Why am I not achy? I ain’t trying to say you have to stay with it, but give it a try.”
“Rondo set the tone for us,” said Kuzma, who stayed up until nearly 5 a.m. talking with Rondo and several other teammates about basketball after getting into OKC well past midnight on Friday. “Going right at CP [Chris Paul] right out the gate, being a scorer.” And then Kuzma shut the door on any comeback designs the Thunder might have had, extending L.A.’s lead from 13 to 16 with 1 minute, 40 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on a tough, pull-up 3 from 26 feet out. “Ever since I was a kid, playing in open gyms at the YMCA, probably score is 10-10 or 11-11, I’m taking that shot,” said Kuzma, who finished with 36 points. “So it’s something that I just enjoy doing, and I’m confident in myself.”
