Sports
NBA Rumors: Warriors' Chris Paul Coming off Bench vs. Suns Has 'Momentum' – Bleacher Report
The Golden State Warriors are still weighing the idea of utilizing Chris Paul in a reserve role, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania said Tuesday on FanDuel’s Run It Back: “I think there is a level of momentum of him coming off the bench.”
"I think there is a level of momentum of [CP3] coming off the bench"<a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a> on Chris Paul willing to play whatever role is necessary for him and the Warriors 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/ChandlerParsons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChandlerParsons</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamLou23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TeamLou23</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelleDBeadle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichelleDBeadle</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FanDuelTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FanDuelTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/ulhe0xKp5M">pic.twitter.com/ulhe0xKp5M</a>
Shortly after his trade to Golden State, Paul danced around the question of whether he’d shift to a bench role with the team:
Chris Paul responds to potentially coming off the Warriors' bench: <a href="https://t.co/FbDd0SGqLm">pic.twitter.com/FbDd0SGqLm</a>
The 38-year-old struck a slightly different tune during the Warriors’ media day.
“I think anybody who knows me knows I’m all about winning,” he told reporters. “Whatever I can do to help our team win. I know coach and us, we are going to talk about it and see what he likes. We’ve been hooping all summer. I think for the season it’s going to be whatever to help our team win, and I think I’ve at least tried to show or prove that my entire career.”
Head coach Steve Kerr experimented with the tactic in the preseason. Paul was moved to the second unit for a 116-115 win over the Sacramento Kings. He had 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds in 30 minutes.
Here's Steve Kerr on Chris Paul coming off the bench tonight. Sounds like part of it is getting Paul in a pick-and-roll heavy lineup.<br><br>"I told him we need him to be himself. He's trying to fit in. Sometimes we need him to go take four mid-range jumpers in a row." <a href="https://t.co/s7WAvVAAeu">pic.twitter.com/s7WAvVAAeu</a>
The move makes plenty of sense in theory.
The biggest reason behind acquiring the 12-time All-Star is that Golden State’s offense has historically struggled whenever Stephen Curry is on the bench. Maybe that’s no longer as much of an issue.
Having said that, the methodical pace at which Paul typically plays doesn’t exactly mesh well with Curry’s more uptempo style. Staggering their minutes could be one way to avoid that problem.
With veterans such as Paul, it’s not always so straightforward as putting a longtime starter on the second unit and getting the exact same production and effectiveness at a lower volume.
Paul is accustomed to being on the floor for the opening tip and finding his rhythm as the action unfolds. As a bench player, you don’t have that luxury; you need to deliver right away against opposing players who are warm and sharp.
Especially early into the upcoming season, Kerr might as well try starting lineups without CP3 to see how he performs in meaningful games. It’s better to figure that out now rather than the business end of the year or the postseason.
Fans will be eager to see whether that process already gets underway in Tuesday’s opener against the Phoenix Suns.