Over the previous twenty years, Chris Paul and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have battled it out from the sideline and on the court docket an enormous 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 in opposition to 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 either side.
“It’s mutual,” Paul mentioned.
He spoke in regards to the pair’s previous battles and is happy to be enjoying below Pop moderately than dealing with his crew.
“It was attention-grabbing,” Paul mentioned. “The sport was lots totally different then in the best way it was performed. I’ve performed for a lot of coaches now and am all the time enthusiastic about studying new issues. After all, 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 shall be teaming up with the most popular younger participant within the league – Victor Wembanyama.
The pair haven’t taken the court docket 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 enjoying pickup, watching movie. He’s additionally occurring his second yr. The league has positively modified and advanced since I used to be in my second yr. There’s a distinct sort of highlight on him than was on me and numerous different gamers. Simply attempting to ensure he has the boldness to know that he can do no matter.”
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