Can Chris Paul and the Warriors put their differences aside to win a title?

From mentor to rival

Chris Paul and Stephen Curry have given us some of the best point-guard matchups in recent memory. The greatest shooter of all time and one of the best floor generals to touch the ball, it’s always bound to be a show.

But Curry and Paul go way back to their days in North Carolina. A native of Wisnton-Salem, Paul attended Wake Forest University from 2003-2005 before entering the NBA. Meanwhile, Curry grew up just an hour away in Charlotte. As Paul entered the NBA, Curry began playing for Davidson College in 2006.

“Me and him go way back to our North Carolina days,” Curry told Through The Wire. “[Him] kinda being my mentor when I was coming out of college. Getting to work out with him and learning the ropes.”

If anybody–besides Curry himself–tells you that they knew he was going to be this great when he came to the league, they’re lying. Nobody expected the noodle-armed kid from Davidson, who got picked seventh, to change the game how he did. Curry became the centerpiece of the Golden State dynasty. So far, he has won four rings and could still compete for more. Meanwhile, Paul’s championship prayers remain unanswered.

On his way to the top, Curry often ran into a familiar face in Paul. In 2014, Paul and the LA Clippers eliminated the Warriors in the first round after seven games. Since then, Curry and Co. have had the upper hand over the veteran. Paul went on to join forces with James Harden in Houston. Although they made things competitive for Golden State, the Rockets bowed to the Warriors in the Playoffs for back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019.

As great as Paul is, the aging Point God found his Kryptonite was the sharpshooter in San Francisco (and injuries). Whenever it felt like CP3 had a fighting chance, a 6-foot-3 barricade would come out of nowhere to spoil the party.

In a March 13 matchup between the Warriors and the Suns, Curry said “This ain’t 2014 no more,” after successfully drawing a three-point play through Paul.

In 2020, Curry’s outspoken teammate Draymond Green blatantly said “I don’t like CP at all.” In the same year, Paul revealed that in 2011, a trade was proposed between the Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Paul in exchange for Curry and Klay Thompson.

Now, as teammates, this newly-shaped group has to put the past to bed to achieve a common goal.

“It’s gonna be amazing,” Curry said. “Obviously, a big change. One thing about CP is that he makes the teams better. For us, that’s why the move was made. An opportunity for us to compete at the highest level and get back to a championship-level team, making sure all the pieces fit. [I’m] excited about the unknown and the opportunity behind it. A lot of high-IQ guys trying to figure it out.”

CP3’s future in the bay

Oh how I wish this deal happened when Paul was in LA, and the Warriors were starting to find their groove as a championship team. But still, at 38 years old, Paul remains very impressive. Two seasons ago, he led the NBA in assists and this past year, he was one of six players to average at least 13 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.

Is this the solution to Golden State’s problems? I don’t think so. However, it is a great placeholder while they sort out their future. It feels like a shot in the dark, but I would rather sign a short deal with a seasoned future Hall of Famer than throw money for a young player who disappeared when he was most needed.

We might not see Paul finally get rewarded the ring he so deserves in white in gold. But to see him break defenses down and throw dimes to Curry, Thompson, and Green, would be box office. It could go really well or really badly, but either way, it will be entertaining. There’s not much time left on Paul’s basketball clock, so I’m glad he at least gets the best opportunity to compete for a title, even if it came a tad bit late.