Q&A: Chris Paul

Posted by Unknown on Monday, July 23, 2012 with 2 comments
Before their matchup with Argentina, Team USA fielded questions and below is Chris Paul's Q&A session:


A lot of players have gone from small-market teams to bigger cities and they are usually not popular among fans in their original NBA cities. It's not your case in New Orleans. Why do you think is that, that you are still popular over there?
CP: You know, it's not about me, being popular in New Orleans. I'll always love the city of New Orleans. Even though I don't play there right now, I'm always there, I always go back. I have an after-school program there that is for kids in inner-city schools. I want to try to remain involved in the community there. I'm not here on this USA National Team if not for the fans in New Orleans. I don't know why they love me back. I was there six of the best years of my life. I love the city there, and I think we have a lot in common. Having to overcome adversity... It was just a connection that I will never forget.
How do you feel about the Clippers' offseason additions? Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford, Chauncey Billups... 
CP: We had a big offseason. Our front office did an outstanding job bringing some players in. I'm excited to get back and play with my teammates. 
Were you active recruiting players?
CP: Yeah, no question. I talked to Grant, talked to Chauncey, talked to Jamal... Talked to just everybody I possibly could.
What was your pitch to convince those guys?
CP: My thing was, first of all, this is a first-class organization. Our front office and our staff is one of the best in the league. I also was just telling them how fun it would be to play with me, Blake [Griffin], DeAndre [Jordan] and Caron Butler.
It's going to be a pretty good locker room next season with leaders like Billups, Hill, yourself... That should have a good effect on the young players.
CP: No question, no question. The guys like Trey Thompkins, Eric Bledsoe, Travis Leslie... They couldn't ask for a better locker room. We have a lot of veteran leadership and a lot of really good guys. 
Which of the young guys do you think has to step up the most?
CP: All of us. I have to come back and be better, Blake has to be better. One of the key factors for us is DJ, DeAndre. He's so explosive down low and we're going to need more out of him just like the rest of us.