Chris Paul comes off the bench for the first time: 'Whatever I've got to do to help our team win'
Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul came off of the bench for the first time in his 19-season career in the Warriors’ 106-95 win over the host Houston Rockets on Sunday. Paul had started 1,365 career games, which includes the playoffs and the regular season. Since 1970-71, that’s the most consecutive starts to begin a career prior to coming off the bench for the first time, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. “It’s whatever I’ve got to do to help our team win,” Paul said. “So if that means this, if it means not finishing some games or whatnot, you know, if you get a chance to play long enough in your career, there’s things that’s going to change, there’s things that’s going to be different and I’m here.”
Source: Kendra Andrews @ ESPN
Source: Kendra Andrews @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Chris Paul addresses his first game off the bench warriorswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/30/chr… pic.twitter.com/XIaUThV24e – 9:05 AM
Chris Paul addresses his first game off the bench warriorswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/30/chr… pic.twitter.com/XIaUThV24e – 9:05 AM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Chris Paul comes off the bench for the first time in his career.
Steve Kerr: “It’s massive the way Chris has embraced everything here in the first month since he’s been with us.” pic.twitter.com/dooSCpkMmx – 8:39 AM
Chris Paul comes off the bench for the first time in his career.
Steve Kerr: “It’s massive the way Chris has embraced everything here in the first month since he’s been with us.” pic.twitter.com/dooSCpkMmx – 8:39 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is on the air!
🏀 James Harden Attends Sixers Game
🏀 Chris Paul Off The Bench
🏀 Weekend Recap
📻 Listen Live: siriusxm.us/NBARadioLive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/dhpPBejd5S – 7:02 AM
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is on the air!
🏀 James Harden Attends Sixers Game
🏀 Chris Paul Off The Bench
🏀 Weekend Recap
📻 Listen Live: siriusxm.us/NBARadioLive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/dhpPBejd5S – 7:02 AM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Chris Paul credits two role players for Warriors defensive identity warriorswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/28/chr… pic.twitter.com/UI9poH2GPP – 7:00 AM
Chris Paul credits two role players for Warriors defensive identity warriorswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/28/chr… pic.twitter.com/UI9poH2GPP – 7:00 AM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Had a postgame conversation with Chris Paul about his willingness to come off the bench. A pre-camp meeting with the other five starters in Steve Kerr’s office was crucial. Here’s the story from Houston.
theathletic.com/5010908/2023/1… – 2:06 AM
Had a postgame conversation with Chris Paul about his willingness to come off the bench. A pre-camp meeting with the other five starters in Steve Kerr’s office was crucial. Here’s the story from Houston.
theathletic.com/5010908/2023/1… – 2:06 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Chris Paul thrives off bench, continues to lift Warriors in non-Stephen Curry minutes
cbssports.com/nba/news/chris… – 12:18 AM
Chris Paul thrives off bench, continues to lift Warriors in non-Stephen Curry minutes
cbssports.com/nba/news/chris… – 12:18 AM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Steve Kerr said the Warriors will use that same traditional starting lineup — Curry, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond, Looney — tomorrow in New Orleans. Chris Paul off the bench. Full soundbite on the dynamics. pic.twitter.com/szZgEYkNcG – 10:03 PM
Steve Kerr said the Warriors will use that same traditional starting lineup — Curry, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond, Looney — tomorrow in New Orleans. Chris Paul off the bench. Full soundbite on the dynamics. pic.twitter.com/szZgEYkNcG – 10:03 PM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Chris Paul has a 5.6 assist to turnover ratio through 3 games with the Warriors – 9:50 PM
Chris Paul has a 5.6 assist to turnover ratio through 3 games with the Warriors – 9:50 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
CP3 in his 1st career game off the bench:
8 PTS
5 REB
7 AST
27 MIN
And a game-high +22. statmuse.com/nba/player/chr… – 9:32 PM
CP3 in his 1st career game off the bench:
8 PTS
5 REB
7 AST
27 MIN
And a game-high +22. statmuse.com/nba/player/chr… – 9:32 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
That’s a 2-0 start on the road for the Warriors. Wins in Sacramento and Houston. Steph Curry’s four fourth quarter 3s boost them past the Rockets. Chris Paul a +22 in his first bench game ever. Klay Thompson 19 points on 12 shots. Warriors in New Orleans tomorrow. – 9:31 PM
That’s a 2-0 start on the road for the Warriors. Wins in Sacramento and Houston. Steph Curry’s four fourth quarter 3s boost them past the Rockets. Chris Paul a +22 in his first bench game ever. Klay Thompson 19 points on 12 shots. Warriors in New Orleans tomorrow. – 9:31 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Warriors 81, Rockets 75 after three. Rockets got within three. Rockets 16 of 16 from the line after Friday’s 10 of 20. Warriors bench has been terrific, and that’s with Chris Paul 1 of 5. (He has seven assists.) Gary Payton II with 15. – 8:52 PM
Warriors 81, Rockets 75 after three. Rockets got within three. Rockets 16 of 16 from the line after Friday’s 10 of 20. Warriors bench has been terrific, and that’s with Chris Paul 1 of 5. (He has seven assists.) Gary Payton II with 15. – 8:52 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets have four fouls. Amen Thompson is on Chris Paul. Can’t explain why it has taken so long for the CP3 rip-through. Maybe he does not do that when coming off the bench. – 8:38 PM
Rockets have four fouls. Amen Thompson is on Chris Paul. Can’t explain why it has taken so long for the CP3 rip-through. Maybe he does not do that when coming off the bench. – 8:38 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
With Chris Paul’s start-every-game run now over, the active player with the most games in the NBA without coming off the bench now is Damian Lillard — 833, including tonight, including playoffs. – 8:32 PM
With Chris Paul’s start-every-game run now over, the active player with the most games in the NBA without coming off the bench now is Damian Lillard — 833, including tonight, including playoffs. – 8:32 PM
Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Wow, look at those plus/minus figures for the Warriors’ second unit with Chris Paul. – 8:30 PM
Wow, look at those plus/minus figures for the Warriors’ second unit with Chris Paul. – 8:30 PM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Warriors up 57-47 on the Rockets at halftime
Klay: 16 points, 6 of 9, 4 of 7
GP2: 12 points, +18
CP3: 7 assists, +23 off the bench – 8:08 PM
Warriors up 57-47 on the Rockets at halftime
Klay: 16 points, 6 of 9, 4 of 7
GP2: 12 points, +18
CP3: 7 assists, +23 off the bench – 8:08 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Warriors just went +16 in Steph Curry’s 8.5-minute stint on the bench. They were down 18-15 when he exited. Up 39-26 when he returns. Did not happen much last season. Long, steady stint from Chris Paul. Gary Payton II has 12 points in 10 minutes. Two 3s. – 7:52 PM
Warriors just went +16 in Steph Curry’s 8.5-minute stint on the bench. They were down 18-15 when he exited. Up 39-26 when he returns. Did not happen much last season. Long, steady stint from Chris Paul. Gary Payton II has 12 points in 10 minutes. Two 3s. – 7:52 PM
Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
With only 2 exceptions thru first 9 quarters, Warriors have been good/excellent during non-Steph minutes. Rarely could that be said last season. With Chris Paul now anchoring, it should get even better – 7:42 PM
With only 2 exceptions thru first 9 quarters, Warriors have been good/excellent during non-Steph minutes. Rarely could that be said last season. With Chris Paul now anchoring, it should get even better – 7:42 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
CP said something to the Rockets bench after hitting that fadeaway over Sengun to start the second quarter – 7:41 PM
CP said something to the Rockets bench after hitting that fadeaway over Sengun to start the second quarter – 7:41 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Chris Paul, in his first career stint off the bench, enters at the 7-minute mark and plays the duration of the first quarter. Didn’t take a shot. Had three assists. Closed the quarter with a pick-and-pop find for a Dario Saric 3. Warriors up 26-24 on Rockets. Paul a +8. – 7:39 PM
Chris Paul, in his first career stint off the bench, enters at the 7-minute mark and plays the duration of the first quarter. Didn’t take a shot. Had three assists. Closed the quarter with a pick-and-pop find for a Dario Saric 3. Warriors up 26-24 on Rockets. Paul a +8. – 7:39 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Chris Paul checks in after the first time out. Warriors time out before inbounding, so technically, he still has never come off the bench. – 7:24 PM
Chris Paul checks in after the first time out. Warriors time out before inbounding, so technically, he still has never come off the bench. – 7:24 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Chris Paul will come off the bench for the Warriors tonight. He started the first 1,216 games of his NBA career – 6:59 PM
Chris Paul will come off the bench for the Warriors tonight. He started the first 1,216 games of his NBA career – 6:59 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Draymond Green to start, Chris Paul will come off bench for first time in career
nbcsports.com/nba/news/draym… – 6:55 PM
Draymond Green to start, Chris Paul will come off bench for first time in career
nbcsports.com/nba/news/draym… – 6:55 PM
Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Regresa Draymond Green y por primera vez en su augusta carrera, Chris Paul jugará como reserva.
Un gran jugador que juegue para su equipo no debe tener reparo alguno. pic.twitter.com/cF52rkXj3O – 6:53 PM
Regresa Draymond Green y por primera vez en su augusta carrera, Chris Paul jugará como reserva.
Un gran jugador que juegue para su equipo no debe tener reparo alguno. pic.twitter.com/cF52rkXj3O – 6:53 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Warriors’ Chris Paul to come off the bench tonight vs. Rockets for first time in his 19-year career houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 6:50 PM
Warriors’ Chris Paul to come off the bench tonight vs. Rockets for first time in his 19-year career houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 6:50 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Draymond Green will start. Chris Paul will come off the bench. pic.twitter.com/Evw5bg4pYL – 6:45 PM
Draymond Green will start. Chris Paul will come off the bench. pic.twitter.com/Evw5bg4pYL – 6:45 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Golden State’s Chris Paul comes off the bench tonight in Houston for the first time in his NBA career as Draymond Green returns to the Warriors’ starting lineup.
More NBA from me: marcsteim.Substack.com pic.twitter.com/zXVOkQq6Bk – 6:34 PM
Golden State’s Chris Paul comes off the bench tonight in Houston for the first time in his NBA career as Draymond Green returns to the Warriors’ starting lineup.
More NBA from me: marcsteim.Substack.com pic.twitter.com/zXVOkQq6Bk – 6:34 PM
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
With Draymond Green making his season debut, Chris Paul will be coming off the bench for the first time in his 1,365 career games, Warriors says. – 6:33 PM
With Draymond Green making his season debut, Chris Paul will be coming off the bench for the first time in his 1,365 career games, Warriors says. – 6:33 PM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Chris Paul is coming off the bench for the first time in his NBA career. With Draymond Green’s return, Steve Kerr is sticking with the best starting five in basketball from last season
Warriors starters vs. the Rockets
Steph
Klay
Wiggins
Draymond
Looney – 6:32 PM
Chris Paul is coming off the bench for the first time in his NBA career. With Draymond Green’s return, Steve Kerr is sticking with the best starting five in basketball from last season
Warriors starters vs. the Rockets
Steph
Klay
Wiggins
Draymond
Looney – 6:32 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
CP3 will come off the bench for the Warriors as Draymond returns to the starting lineup, per @anthonyVslater. pic.twitter.com/ye1vQDFG6B – 6:25 PM
CP3 will come off the bench for the Warriors as Draymond returns to the starting lineup, per @anthonyVslater. pic.twitter.com/ye1vQDFG6B – 6:25 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Chris Paul will come off the bench tonight for the Warriors in Houston, per sources. It’ll be his first time as a reserve in his 19-year career. Started previous 1,365 games (regular season/playoffs). Draymond Green is starting in his return. – 5:55 PM
Chris Paul will come off the bench tonight for the Warriors in Houston, per sources. It’ll be his first time as a reserve in his 19-year career. Started previous 1,365 games (regular season/playoffs). Draymond Green is starting in his return. – 5:55 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Draymond Green on his fit with Chris Paul
“When you can put two of the smartest guys in the league on the floor with the weapons we have, I like the odds.”
“You put Bill Gates and Paul Allen in a room and you get Microsoft. That’s how I see it.”
theathletic.com/5007776/2023/1… – 10:27 AM
Draymond Green on his fit with Chris Paul
“When you can put two of the smartest guys in the league on the floor with the weapons we have, I like the odds.”
“You put Bill Gates and Paul Allen in a room and you get Microsoft. That’s how I see it.”
theathletic.com/5007776/2023/1… – 10:27 AM
More on this storyline
That streak, longer than any other NBA player in the last 50 years, was snapped Sunday night in Houston. It was agreed upon during a morning conversation at the team’s Houston hotel 10 minutes out of downtown. Green was returning from a two-game absence. Kerr approached Paul and told him that Green’s return meant Paul was shifting to the bench. “He just said, ‘Yep,’ nodded his head and said, ‘Let’s go get them,’” Kerr said. “No big deal.” -via The Athletic / October 30, 2023
Anthony Slater: Steve Kerr on Chris Paul’s acceptance to come off the bench: “It’s massive. Massive…When a vet, an All-Star shows that kind of sacrifice, it sets the tone.” pic.twitter.com/fzeS95uZ3Y -via Twitter @anthonyVslater / October 30, 2023