Chris Paul
The Point God who led the Lob City era and remains an active NBA legend.
Christopher Emmanuel Paul Sr. (born May 6, 1985), nicknamed "CP3" and "the Point God", is an American professional basketball player. Regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, and two Olympic gold medals, and led the NBA in assists five times and steals a record six times. Paul has been selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams, and nine NBA All-Defensive teams. In 2021, he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Paul served as the president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 to 2021. Among the highest-paid athletes in the world, he holds endorsement deals with companies such as Jordan Brand and State Farm.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Point Guard
- Status
- Active Player
- Jersey number
- 3
- Key achievement
- NBA All-Star (multiple selections with Clippers)
Lore & Background
Paul was a McDonald's All-American in high school and attended Wake Forest University for two years of college basketball, where he helped the Demon Deacons achieve their first-ever number-one ranking. Paul was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, where he developed into one of the league's best players, finishing second in NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting in 2008. During the 2011 offseason, the Hornets organized a deal to send Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the transaction was controversially voided by the NBA (which temporarily owned the team at the time). He was instead dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers later that year. Led by Paul's playmaking, the Clippers developed a reputation for their fast-paced offense and spectacular alley-oop dunks, earning them the nickname "Lob City". In 2017, Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he helped the team win a franchise-record 65 games in his debut season. Paul played one more season in Houston before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a package for Russell Westbrook in 2019. With the Thunder looking to rebuild, Paul was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2020, where he reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in 2021. The following season, Paul helped the team win a franchise-record 64 games. After three seasons in Phoenix, Paul was traded and spent one season with the Golden State Warriors, where he came off the bench for the first time in his career. He later signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2024.
Reader's Guide
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Did You Know?
- Paul was nicknamed "CP3" because he, his father, and his brother all share the same initials.
- In high school, Paul scored 61 points in a game in honor of his 61-year-old grandfather, who had been murdered days earlier.
- Paul was named ACC Rookie of the Year and Third Team All-ACC as a freshman at Wake Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers?
He was the starting point guard who defined the franchise's modern era during his tenure from 2011 to 2017. Wearing number 3, he became a fan favorite and established himself as one of the greatest players to wear the uniform.
What role did Chris Paul play on the court?
As the floor general, he orchestrated offenses and led the iconic Lob City trio alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. His elite passing and defense were central to the team's identity during that period.
What major achievements did he help the Clippers accomplish?
Chris Paul guided the club to six consecutive playoff appearances between 2012 and 2017. He also secured back-to-back Pacific Division titles in 2013 and 2014, marking historic firsts for the organization.
Why is Chris Paul considered a Clippers legend?
Despite postseason disappointments where the team often exited early, his leadership transformed the franchise into a competitive Western Conference contender. His jersey number remains synonymous with excellence in Los Angeles basketball history.
How did Chris Paul's time with the Clippers end?
He was traded to the Houston Rockets during the 2017 season after spending six seasons with the team. Although his time there ended abruptly, his impact on building a winning culture remains unmatched by any other player in franchise history.
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