Over the previous 20 years, Chris Paul and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have battled it out from the sideline and on the courtroom a large 81 occasions.
And there was no love misplaced.
“I’ve despised Chris for a few years,” Popovich mentioned.
The storied 75-year-old coach went on to elucidate why.
“It was troublesome to play towards him as a result of he’s a intelligent, intelligent, intelligent participant,” Popovich mentioned. “His IQ is off the charts. It was all the time troublesome as a result of he’s pondering forward of all of us coaches.”
When it got here to Paul’s media session, he acknowledged that hateful feeling was certainly felt on each side.
“It’s mutual,” Paul mentioned.
He spoke concerning the pair’s outdated battles and is happy to be taking part in underneath Pop moderately than going through his workforce.
“It was fascinating,” Paul mentioned. “The sport was so much completely different then in the best way it was performed. I’ve performed for quite a lot of coaches now and am all the time enthusiastic about studying new issues. In fact, I perceive the information of the sport that I’ve, however I by no means cease studying. I’m excited to listen to Pop’s means of doing issues.”
In addition to teaming up with Pop, Paul will likely be teaming up with the most popular younger participant within the league – Victor Wembanyama.
The pair haven’t taken the courtroom collectively as but, however CP3 has already pinpointed some areas the place he thinks he can elevate the French native’s recreation.
“Completely,” Paul mentioned. “Simply from us taking part in pickup, watching movie. He’s additionally happening his second yr. The league has positively modified and developed since I used to be in my second yr. There’s a distinct kind of highlight on him than was on me and a variety of different gamers. Simply attempting to ensure he has the arrogance to know that he can do no matter.”
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