New San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul is heading back south for his 20th season in the NBA after an underwhelming stint with the Golden State Warriors. Following his exit from the team this offseason, Paul unfollowed the Warriors on social media, sparking mixed reactions from NBA fans when ‘NBA Alerts’ shared the news on X.
👀 Chris Paul (CP3) is no longer following @warriors
— NBA Alerts (@theNBAalert) July 8, 2024
Bodied that dead dynasty
— Mark (@StrawHatMark__) July 8, 2024
One user speculated that his unfollowing of the Warriors comes after they failed to help Paul secure his elusive first championship.
“Bro said, ‘Y’all had one job to get me a ring and you failed,'” wrote @30DubsOnTop.
Cp0 will always be ringless 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fl5LfJ6orR
— Fish Middleton (@Giannis_An344) July 8, 2024
Another user piled on with the ‘ringless’ trolling, adding a clip of Giannis Antetokounmpo after his championship victory over the Suns in 2021.
“Cp0 will always be ringless,” wrote @Giannis_An344.
One user found the perfect opportunity to share a popular GIF of the former Houston Rockets guard, in which he’s seen showing what looks like a fake laugh and smile to Warriors coach Steve Kerr and the bench.
Several fans took the opportunity to further drag the Warriors, who are in a state of decline for the first time in a decade following the departure of Paul and former sharpshooter Klay Thompson.
“Warriors downfall is amazing,” wrote @LBJ2PHiLA.
And one fan took the opportunity to crown the veteran guard with a new nickname.
“CPetty3,” wrote @JonTwoFour.
Paul spent one lone season with the Warriors, who had a loaded backcourt that saw him come off the bench and struggle to acclimate to the team. He averaged just 9.2 points per game, almost half of his career average, despite still playing 26 minutes per game. The Warriors waived him and his $30 million salary for next season last month.
Paul is famous for being one of the best players ever not to win a championship ring, giving fans plenty to grasp onto when looking to poke fun at his career moves. He came closest in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns.
Chris Paul is now set to join the exciting French phenom Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, whose production could skyrocket with the seasoned passer running the offense. Paul has famously lifted the records of many teams he’s joined, most notably when he helped bring the Los Angeles Clippers franchise to relevance in the 2010s and carried a rag-tag Oklahoma City Thunder team to the playoffs in 2020.
The move to the Spurs could be a rejuvenating chapter for Paul. The veteran guard’s ability to elevate his teammates’ play has been well-documented throughout his career. With Wembanyama’s potential and Paul’s expertise, the Spurs could see a significant improvement in their performance this season.
Chris Paul’s decision to unfollow the Warriors on social media is a small but telling act. It signifies the end of a brief and disappointing chapter in his career. The move has ignited fan reactions, highlighting the sometimes fickle nature of sports relationships and the high expectations placed on star players. Paul’s time with the Warriors was marred by an inability to integrate fully into the team and contribute at his usual high level, culminating in his release.
The mixed reactions from fans about Chris Paul’s social media move underscore the polarized views on his career. While some see him as one of the greatest point guards who has been unfortunate in his quest for a championship, others view his moves with skepticism and mock his lack of a ring. The unfollowing of the Warriors could be seen as Paul’s way of closing the door on a disappointing stint and focusing on the future with the Spurs.
In San Antonio, Chris Paul has the opportunity to mentor young talent and potentially reshape the narrative of his career. His pairing with Victor Wembanyama is particularly intriguing. Wembanyama’s unique skill set combined with Paul’s court vision and leadership could create a dynamic partnership that benefits both the player and the team.
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