Chris Paul on the “fuzzy” summer, Phoenix is “at home”, new expectations for the suns 2021-22
That’s what Chris Paul of Phoenix Sun’s launch point guard said during the team’s media day before training camp on Monday.
On his decision to re-sign with the Suns during a shorter off-season:
“It’s so blurry now. I mean it was an easy decision. This is close to my family, and that became my family last year. Being here in Phoenix was not only fun in terms of basketball, it was fun in life too. When you are with these people, those of you who work know that it is always a nice feeling when you go to work and not feel like you are at work and really have the opportunity to enjoy yourself have what you do. This with the team we had, the coaching staff, I wanted to come back. “
On Suns starting striker Jae Crowder, he says he knew Paul would be back and that he asked him to sign with Phoenix before last season:
“Jae doesn’t know anything. He’s not my agent. Jae doesn’t work for me. Nope, but that’s also true. You think of these different relationships that you are building and that trust and bond. Jae man I know how much I enjoyed playing with him last year after a year. I am sure that this year will be even better. As I said earlier, I think one of the best things about our team this season will be continuity. ”
About the sun’s expectations for this season:
“Man, I think our expectations are to come in and start the process over. We have to work, day one. It’s not like you come into this season and say, ‘Okay, the playoffs are in. We’ll start where we were last year. ‘ No, there are many things in which we can get better and in which we want to get better. And that’s all the fun of the season. It was cool and good to get this far, but when we all saw each other we basically remembered the process, all the moments that got us there. ”
When fully vaccinated:
“I’m there. I’m at the media day. I’m there. You know the rules.”
If he changed something in his preparations during a short offseason:
“I had an operation. I had an operation after the season, so I had to change a lot. I have been rehabilitating day in and day out for the past six or seven weeks. I think for myself this summer I tried to make as much time as possible with myself my family. Right? As much time as possible. ”
When talking to Crowder, who played for the Miami Heat during the 2020 NBA Finals, about a brief off-season:
“No I have not. I think that was also a little different from everyone else. It was a little more time from the bladder or something. But I’m sure we will discuss the camp as a team, as a coaching staff. This is all new to everyone on our team, so we just have to find out. ”
How often he looks back on the finals:
“Not too often, to tell the truth. As I said, it’s a kind of blurring. I was in one of the things and they showed me some clips. You remember a lot or so, but this point is about focusing on this year. If there is a situation where the coach as a team says, “Oh, we like that, we have to try again.” But yes, I think we somehow managed to do it and realized that in order to get another chance, we have to start from scratch. ”
How Phoenix fans see him as one of their own:
“It’s great and I’m a huge sports fan. I really believe in supporting your home so this is my home. Will support the Mercury. One of the stupidest things actually happened in the training facility the other day. I actually shot on a square and (Diana Taurasi) shot on the square. I got the chance to sit in there and see a little of their workout. When you’re in college you have a women’s team. When you’re in high school, the women’s team plays in front of you most of the time. So it’s real to be there in the same room and have some kind of bond. I want you to win, I want you to be successful. We like a big team. To see them keep winning I was so happy they won yesterday. I’m actually trying to figure out how we can get to Game 3 and 4 when they get here. ”
If he did something different with caring for his body this off-season:
“Nah, taking care of your body is a full time job, day in, day out. You have to know when to exercise, you have to know when to do different things. And I just keep finding out, learning in the process. But nothing new. Just keep working. ”
What he wants to take with him from last season this year:
“I think the biggest thing is this hunger, this underdog mentality that we had last year. I think we have to keep it, we have to put the same energy into this year and understand that we are going to have more TV games than last year. But we know that it will be teams that will come for us or want us, but we have to beat them more than they want to beat us. And just build. I think, like I said, that’s the fun of having a team like ours, knowing that it goes one step at a time. ”
What it would mean to be included on the NBA’s list of the NBA’s 75 Best All-Time Players:
“That would mean a lot. It would mean a lot. I remember when they hit the top 50. I remember watching the All Star game and seeing the 50 greats come out with their jackets on and all that. So being a student of the game, yeah. It would mean a lot. ”
How much his injuries hindered him in the playoffs:
“I was cool. I survived it. ”
Some advice to Taurasi for the Mercury playoff run:
“When I was at the game in New York, I contacted DT at halftime. I don’t know, we were just talking about the game and what I saw and how I think they can score goals. But I don’t know, it’s fun to watch them play, watch Brittney (Griner) and everyone (Phoenix Mercury Center). Like I said, all the years I was in the league when I played in New Orleans we didn’t have a women’s team. The Clippers, we don’t. Houston, we don’t, and Oklahoma City. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it’s the coolest thing ever when we practice and you get the chance to see the women. It could be something like Skylar (Diggins-Smith) walking across the zebra crossing and you see her. It really is crazy. ”
If he feels like Sun’s Start Center, Deandre Ayton and Backup Center JaVale McGee can play at the same time:
“I think our team philosophy, and I’m not the coach – we do what has to be done, whatever works. I think last year we started Frank and DA a lot to start the season. Both are our versatile, know how to play. If it requires it, I think we could do it. ”
On his advice to Sun’s backup guard Elfrid Payton and what was expected of Chasson Randle, who signed a training camp contract with the team:
“Man, Chasson can play. We were jumping the other day and I remember playing against him when he was in Orlando. He can really play and shoot the ball really well. EP is like my family. I knew Elfrid before he came into the league. So for him it was more about finding the best situation for him. If that meant cool, if not, I’m glad he’s on the team. Because he’s so competitive, and I think that’s why he and me have been together for so long. Because no matter what the game is, what it is, he will compete. ”
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