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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 11: Saying Goodbye To Westbrook, The Spurs’ Next Great Point Guard And ‘Ice-O Joe’ Arrives

By Gerald Bourguet

April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after he scores a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
April 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after he scores a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 25, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) reacts after being fouled while scoring during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

The Spurs Are Close To Solving Their Point Guard Situation

After playing Mike Conley pretty even in the first two games of the series, Tony Parker went missing in Game 3, and his 22 points in Game 4 couldn’t prevent the overtime loss. Patty Mills was somewhat effective in a double-digit Game 3 loss, but was a non-factor in Game 4.

The point guard situation has long been a source of concern for San Antonio Spurs fans, because even the most loyal of supporters will admit TP is getting old and Mills might not be worth paying to re-sign in free agency this summer.

In Game 5, those concerns fell by the wayside. Parker was outplayed by Conley, but still finished with a respectable 16 points and six assists on 6-of-12 shooting. Mills, meanwhile, dropped a playoff career-high 20 points off the bench on 7-of-10 shooting, with a +22 plus/minus.

But with matchups against James Harden, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving looming on the potential road to championship No. 6, the disparity at one of the league’s most important positions will only get larger. And as it does, one perfect summer union becomes more and more apparent.

Spoiler alert: It’s Chris Paul. Chris Paul should totally sign with the Spurs this summer in free agency, and the Spurs should totally sign the crap out of Chris Paul.

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While his series with the Los Angeles Clippers takes a turn for the worse, behind yet another bout of Blake Griffin injuries, poor playoff luck and not enough help around CP3, this potential union makes more and more sense by the day.

CP3 would get his chance to prove how clutch he actually is with the right amount of help and experience around him. The Spurs would find their Parker replacement without having to worry about ponying up the dough for Mills, who should command quite a contract on the open market.

It feels cruel to write these words the night after Mills endeared himself to Spurs fans all over again, especially since TP is still only 34. But if you’re a Spurs fan, the most important Game 6 of your week might involve rooting for the Utah Jazz.