Returning to the Clippers is not only a family reunion, but more like a relief for Paul

(This article was published on July 9, and the author of Andscape is Marc J. Spears, and the content of the article does not represent the translator's opinion.)

Chris Paul's son, Jr., turned to his mother and asked, "Mom, have your dad ever seen my high school basketball game?"

Paul's wife Jada thought for a while and replied, "I don't remember he's been here."

"Then he can come to my high school game now." Chris Paul said with a smile.

For NBA veteran Chris Paul, he has been away from his family for most of the past six seasons, including his wife, son, daughter, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and nieces, as well as parents and other relatives he has visited frequently. Missing a big moment in the growth of children, Paul decided to return to the Clippers to reduce the missed-out of such precious moments.

After experiencing the pain of separation from his family, Paul finally found a chance to go home and continue his career rather than choose to retire.

Paul is very happy about the fact that the Paul family has reunited in Los Angeles again since 2017.

"I started this year and realized that if it weren't here, other places were not worth going, because time is precious and the lost time is irreversible," Paul said in an interview after going to the Clippers' new locker room and putting on the Clippers' jersey. "Our kids are at a very special age and I know I missed a lot of time. It's not about making up for anything, but about doing what you can..."

"Being back means everything. It's great to be able to play here with family witness. We've all been busy lately and I attended the Peach where my son played in North Augusta, South Carolina Jam game, and her daughter plays AAU game in Las Vegas. Chris Paul, the player expected to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the first round of voting, averaged 17 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2 steals in his 20-year NBA career. He played for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, creating a glorious era of "Air Connection City" with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

As a 12-time All-Star player and former chairman of the Player Union, Paul ranked second in NBA history to both steals and assists. Last season, he played in all 82 regular season games with the Spurs, proving that he can still maintain a high level of competitive form.

However, in Paul's career, family has always been his primary consideration. When he left the Clippers to join the Rockets in 2017, his family moved to the new city with him, and the children also changed four schools. Once, Paul even flew back to Houston overnight after a away game against the Warriors, just to send his child to school the next day.

In 2019, when Paul joined the Thunder, his family decided to use Los Angeles as their primary residence. From 2019 to 2025, Paul has been playing for the Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs, his wife Jada and two children have been in Los Angeles. Paul's wife said that in the 2019-2020 season, Paul played in Orlando's NBA Bubble Park, which was the biggest challenge their family faced. Chris' younger brother CJ Paul also chose to stay mainly in Los Angeles to manage his brother's business affairs and take care of Chris's wife and two children.

The long-term separation had a profound impact on Paul and his family.

"I see him about once a month." Since 2019, CJ Paul has described his meeting with his brother, "He is always in another city and then plays other places. It's strange that the most I saw him in the past few years was when he was playing outside... Now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief, the family is reunited, and he will never miss the time to spend with his children."

Jada Paul has always supported her husband's NBA career, but she realizes that some changes need to be made for the true happiness and peace of the family.

"I will support him until the last moment," Jada Paul said in an interview. "The past few years have been very difficult, but the last two years have been more difficult than the previous three years. He especially hates leaving the kids, missing their games, and not being able to participate in their lives in real time. This season I have traveled more than ever before."

"He has been blaming himself for these things. I told him, 'This contract with the Spurs will not change our lives. You have to be clear about your choices, it is your choice.' But I don't want him to give up before things are over and feel resentful."

In an interview this March, Paul said that he will evaluate his physical condition after the end of the 2024-25 season and discuss with his family whether it is worth continuing to play. In July, he told reporters Jermel Hill that he would play for one more year at most.

Although the Lakers are one of the rumored potential next players, Paul is more focused on returning to the Clippers because he remains close to the team's boss Steve Ballmer. CJ-Paul advises his brother to go to a place that makes him happy.

Although it took longer than the family expected, the Clippers announced on July 21 that Paul would return on a one-year contract. Now, his biggest challenge and fun is commuting from Beverly Hills in Los Angeles to Inglewood for training and competitions without having to fly home to visit the family on a rare day off. Both Paul and his wife said playing in Los Angeles doesn’t mean it will be his last season.

"Let's see what the future will be, but it's really made it easier for him to go home," Jada Paul said. “I have to admit that when we were in Houston, I didn’t realize the importance of him at home because he could pick up and drop off his kids to school. When he was away, I realized that all these things needed to be handled by myself. Emotional support and physical help are all very important. Maybe he will continue to fight, and I will always support him as long as his physical condition allows. ”

"It's great to be here because there is no pressure. You don't need to be desperate for a new contract. Enjoy the competition. The fans love you very much, you can be with the kids, and it's a win-win situation. Enjoy it well. ”

Paul said: “I will pass by day by day and see what will happen. ”

With Paul, Bill, Collins and the Grand Lopez joining the team, coupled with the original star players Kavay Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers have a talented roster this season. After Paul returns to the Clippers, as the assist king in the team's history, he has the potential to become the first player to retire at the Intuit Dome Arena. For Paul, who is still wearing the No. 3 jersey, this will be an honor he is proud of.

"Basketball and life are a gift. These are all very interesting things. "Paul said.

But there is no doubt that being able to reunite with his family in Los Angeles is Paul's biggest attraction for returning to the Clippers. His son Chris Paul Jr. will serve as the sophomore guard at Campbell Hall High School in the upcoming season. He just represented his father's AAU team in the prestigious Peach Jam plays, and he is almost over to his father (Senior Paul is 6 feet tall).

Camlin is a talented junior high school basketball player whose father recently watched her at an AAU game in Las Vegas. Now, his father wears the Clippers jersey and they can watch each other’s games regularly.

"What I'm most excited about is being with his family..." Paul said. "When you have people like this, whether it's my wife or children, sometimes you don't have to do anything, just being together is enough. This is what I miss the most. ”

Jadal-Paul said: “I am very happy. As the kids grow, it really makes a big difference. This summer, he has been coaching their game in person at home, which is very important for them as they are in a critical period of growth. Chris Paul Jr. said: "It means not only to me, but to everyone." Everyone was happy that he could come back. And this is not a brand new team, everyone is familiar with it. ”

When asked who her favorite basketball player was, Kamlin said without hesitation: “My dad. ”

Original text: Marc J.Spears

Compiled by: JayChan