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Chris Paul Reveals the Important Factors That Drew Him to the Phoenix Suns

Published 08/31/2021, 7:30 AM EDT

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The Phoenix Suns emerged as a title contender last season, despite bigwig franchises on the opposite end. After a long dry spell in success, the Suns were a few games away from the trophy. And the man cherishing it the most was Chris Paul.

Chris Paul got traded to Phoenix Suns by his last team, Oklahoma City Thunder. But that decision didn’t sit well with most of the league and Paul’s fans. Phoenix hadn’t made it to the Finals ever in their franchise history and Paul, 36, joined their side. The question was, ‘what is Chris Paul thinking?’

Chris Paul and Devin Booker: an unexpected duo

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Monty Williams, Suns’ head coach, shared a close relationship with Paul from the New Orleans Hornets’ days. However, the decision couldn’t be interpreted further than that. Eventually, Chris Paul and Devin Booker formed an exemplary duo that least would have expected. They together combined 45+ points during the 2021 postseason and gave Suns their first NBA finals experience.

This season also proved to be the most successful one for the veteran guard himself. After years of unfortunate playoff events, he finally came that close to the trophy.

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USA Today via Reuters

Monty Williams and Booker were CP3’s claws into Phoenix

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While the Suns were enjoying a phenomenal run with their key duo, Chris Paul‘s move brought him appropriate returns. During a chat on ‘No Chill with Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Paul finally guided his fans through what was on his mind while joining the Suns.

Paul told – “I knew Monty already. Regardless of our relationship in the past, I know his mindset. I know he prepares. Don’t nobody know, that year I played for Monty [in New Orleans]… we started out 11-1… How I operate in this point in my career. I’m like ‘Damn, Devin there he nice.’ I already know he a dog. Willie there. Willie Green, that’s my man. Off the court, I know him he’ll keep my mental side. So I was like man, ‘this could work’.”

USA Today via Reuters

It seems clear that CP3 was attracted by Devin Booker, Monty Williams, and Willie Green. His decisions were solely on how well he could fit in with these people on his side. Well, it worked in his favor and the Suns landed in the 2021 Finals against Milwaukee Bucks. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo took away the show, Paul had the taste of finals and he will look for more.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Chris Paul and Other NBA Players Who Have Hidden Meanings Behind Their Jersey Numbers

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Written by:

Pavni Ahuja

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Pavni Ahuja is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Housing a keen interest in sports journalism, she is pursuing an undergraduate Journalism degree from Christ University. Pavni is an ardent fan of the NBA, with prior district-level playing experience in basketball.
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