Clippers' Realization About Chris Paul's Performance
After many decades of NBA basketball, the LA Clippers should have understood that the only 40-year-old player to consistently perform at a high level is LeBron James. Yet, they signed Chris Paul, who is the same age, expecting to manage his regular season workload and see occasional standout playoff performances.
Early Season Performance
By game four of the 2025-26 regular season, it became clear the Clippers' expectations were somewhat unrealistic. Paul’s debut in Salt Lake City highlighted this, not because of his modest four points and four assists, but due to his shooting efficiency—he was 1 for 5 from the field.
"Paul's veteran voice and high IQ will be needed, but consistency will be his biggest challenge over the Clippers' next 78 games."
Rotation and Guard Availability
When the Clippers had their full rotation, Tyronn Lue chose to DNP (Did Not Play) Bogdan Bogdanovic. However, missing Bradley Beal for games three and four left the team short on guards. This forced a ten-man rotation with four veteran guards, stretching the lineup.
Currently, all eleven Clippers players are available, which should reduce DNP decisions based on coaching choices.
Summary
The Clippers are coming to terms with the challenges of relying on a veteran Chris Paul, recognizing that while his leadership is valuable, maintaining consistent performance at his age is the main hurdle.