Chris Paul breaks down in tears talking about trip to Hall of Fame
By Tom West
During his first visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, LA Clippers star Chris Paul broke down in tears when discussing his visit and the importance of basketball to him and his family.
When a child is thinking about their dream to be an NBA player, or a young professional is looking forward to the dream outcome of their career, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of achievement upon retirement. Along with championships, it’s what players pursue, with the title of “Hall of Famer” and the jacket that comes with it representing such a high level of greatness that few have ever achieved it. To LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul, it means a great deal. Both to where he wants his career to go and what it’s meant to him and his family up until this point.
When talking about his first trip to the Hall of Fame for the induction of legends such as Allen Iverson, Yao Ming and Shaquille O’Neal, Paul broke down in tears when discussing what the game of basketball and the Hall itself means to him.
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“My family knows I’m the emotional one in our family. Today was my first day having the opportunity to come here. And it was touching, because if not for this game, I’m not here. If not for this game, my family is not in the position we’re in. So, I’m so grateful for this game and what it’s done for me and my family.”
Then Paul fought back tears, and those watching offered a round of applause.
“It really hit me today, being here around all the history. We take so much for granted, and I know I do a lot of times. But to get an opportunity to come here… and I remember pressuring my parents to buy me some Allen Iverson shoes. And to be here on a special day for him… man.”
The gratitude Chris Paul expressed was refreshing to see. He hasn’t taken anything for granted, and that’s probably helped fuel his fierce competitiveness and intensity to be the defining standard of his position for most of his career.
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Paul has also said in the past that he believes no player has had a bigger impact on the culture of the NBA than Iverson, so there’s no surprise that being there for such an occasion brought out Paul’s emotional side.
As for his own Hall of Fame chances, there should be no doubt whatsoever that Paul will be a first ballot member when his time comes. While criticism for never making the Conference Finals or earning more playoff success has always been thrown at him, his numbers are too astounding to overlook.
With career averages of 18.8 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 9.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, he’s maintained a level of greater consistency than most. He has eight All-NBA honors (four First Team) and eight All-Defensive (six First Team) honors to his name, making him one of the most consistently dominant two-way guards the league has seen. His career numbers will go down among the top few ever, comparable to the likes of Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd and John Stockton.
There’s no way he won’t be in the Hall of Fame.
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“This game has taken me to places I could never have imagined,” Paul added.
Coming off another tremendous season with fairly minimal signs of ageing at 31, Chris Paul hasn’t stopped yet.