Clippers Face Harsh Reality About Chris Paul Known by Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are off to a strong start this season, thanks to the impressive performances of Steph Castle and Dylan Harper. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are beginning to recognize a critical weakness in Chris Paul, one of their key free agency signings.
Chris Paul spent one season with the Spurs, aiding the development of their young roster with his leadership and playmaking. However, a significant flaw went unnoticed: Paul was either unwilling or unable to aggressively attack the paint. This limitation caused the Spurs to perform poorly in rim drives whenever Paul was on the court.
The Spurs plan to change their dynamic by adding De'Aaron Fox to join Harper and Castle, all of whom excel at driving to the basket. A point guard who avoids attacking the paint restricts their scoring options and passing effectiveness, a lesson the Clippers are learning now.
Attacking the basket is essential for a point guard, whether collapsing defenses to open up three-point shots or finding teammates rolling to the rim for easy finishes in pick-and-roll situations. When the Spurs signed Paul, many anticipated he would turn Victor Wembanyama into a reliable lob threat, but that expectation was never fulfilled.
"Paul was either unwilling or unable to attack the paint. His inability to do so resulted in the Spurs ranking poorly in rim drives when he was on the floor."
"Having a point guard who can't touch the paint on offense dramatically limits their effectiveness as a scorer and especially as a passer."
Both teams now see firsthand how vital a point guard's ability to aggressively challenge the rim is for offensive success.
Summary
The Spurs’ early success contrasts with the Clippers’ struggle after realizing Chris Paul's reluctance to attack the paint limits offensive potential and team effectiveness.