With Chris Paul expected to start the season with the OKC Thunder his recent Academy time with other NBA youngsters can help his transition with the team’s young stars.
Recent reports suggest the OKC Thunder are backing off trading Chris Paul for now given the available options are limited. The thinking is General Manager Sam Presti will wait at least until December 15th when many of the players who moved this summer can be traded again. Or wait until later in the season prior to the trade deadline.
This past weekend Chris Paul held his Academy sessions working out with other young NBA talents. Specifically, the Minnesota Timberwolves Josh Okogie, Chicago Bulls rookie Coby White and Sacramento Kings big man Harry Giles. Although this isn’t a new development as CP3 has played with youngsters in the past it behooves his efforts in terms of transferable skills for when he laces up the kicks to play with the OKC Thunder this coming season.
Chris Paul was gettin some buckets at his own Academy this morning!! 👀 @CP3 pic.twitter.com/ohkrIaBJCM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 21, 2019
The one player who’ll benefit the most is obviously Shai-Gilgeous Alexander the point guard likely to be the cornerstone of the OKC Thunder roster as they continue to build for the future.
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In the above Twitter clip from Ballislife Paul is shown taking on each of the three young NBA stars and getting up shots pretty easily with successful bucket after successful bucket.
Witnessing his prowess in shooting it begs the question of how much turmoil Paul was feeling in Houston. Albeit, paul will look to be more of a playmaker in OKC and to be fair this is the offseason where the youngsters aren’t going to be giving 100 percent defensive effort. That said, there is a matter of pride to speak to with no one wanting to get embarrassed.
It’s obvious Paul wants to show off his abilities and will be motivated to demonstrate he’s still capable of producing particularly with the heat and shade he’s taking in the press of late. Yet, arguably an equally important role the veteran point guard needs to showcase is the leadership he was once credited for.
This has become an important factor given how he exited both the Clippers and Rockets as former teammates have taken to bashing CP3 as a difficult teammate who doesn’t admit to his own shortcomings but is quick to jump on others for failed sets particularly on the defensive side of the hardwood.