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OKC Thunder: 3 reasons Chris Paul has won us over

By Luke Duffy

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball on offense against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball on offense against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Chris Paul, OKC Thunder (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Chris Paul has long been a figure in the NBA who divides opinion, but as part of the unexpectedly good OKC Thunder, has he won you over?

No matter what happens from this point onwards, the career of OKC Thunder point guard Chris Paul will be remembered fondly. A statistical machine who became the number one point guard of a generation, he has been a consistently great player for well over a decade. This extends to his defensive play as well, despite being among the smaller guards in the league.

While all of the above cannot be disputed, another inescapable fact is that Paul hasn’t always endeared himself to fans around the league. To supporters of the teams he’s played for sure, but his affinity for yapping on the court and having a reputation as somebody not easy to get on with in the locker room have altered people’s perceptions.

This wasn’t immediately noticeable in his first stop with the New Orleans Pelicans (then Hornets), but became much more apparent when with the L.A. Clippers. Despite the clear talent on that roster, the gelling of Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, as well as a host of capable veterans and head coach Doc Rivers, just never worked out properly.

Rightly or wrongly Paul took much of the blame for that, despite initially playing for the worst owner in all of pro sports as part of a franchise that had endured so much losing. Things didn’t really change when Paul got to the Houston Rockets, but that’s as much got to do with casual fans not enjoying watching James Harden and the way that team plays than anything else.

So what’s changed now he is with the OKC Thunder? The career of Paul has been one of genius moments on the court, amazing personal numbers, a single Western Conference Finals appearance (and a hamstring injury away from who knows what else) and being disliked by many.

But here are three reasons he has won a lot of people over since the start of this season.

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