Clipper Nation, give Chris Paul a warm welcome please

As the LA Clippers host the Houston Rockets, we take a look at Chris Paul’s legacy as a Clipper, and the warm return he should expect.

It feels like just yesterday we were watching video online of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan giddily jumping saying “LOB CITY”. The news broke to the team that the improbable had happened. Chris Paul was coming to LA, and not in a gold and purple jersey. In one of the most controversial decisions in NBA history David Stern had vetoed a trade that would send CP3 to the Lakers. GM Neil Olshey saw his opening and swooped in.

Just like that CP was a Clipper and the New Orleans Hornets received Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, and Al-Farouq Aminu. That was December 14th, 2011. So much has happened since then. The Clippers never saw the Finals, Chris Paul now plays WITH Eric Gordon, and neither are in LA.

This past off-season, Paul let the Clippers front office know he was ready for a change and had no plans on coming back to LA. He informed them of his intentions of signing with Houston in order to give the Clippers a chance of making a trade.

Did Chris ever win a ring with the Clips? NO. Did he leave the fans heartbroken by leaving? YES.  Did he sometimes create a tense locker room that made the team uncomfortable at times?PROBABLY. Should he expect a warm welcome full of cheers and adoration when he returns to Staples? ABSOLUTELY.

Paul might not have ever delivered the championship fans had hoped so badly for, but he brought so much that had never existed to a troubled franchise. Chris brought the team legitimacy and relevancy. He helped create one of the most dominate centers in the league. It had been five long years since the Clips had seen the playoffs before CP arrived. And another eight before that.

In fact, before CP, the Clippers had made the playoffs a total of four times (not including the Braves years). With him, they made six consecutive appearances. THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. Even though he never made it past the second round, it wasn’t his fault. Chris played his heart out every game. Injuries, fluke 3-point explosions (see Josh Smith, Game 6), and horribly officiated games were not his fault.

He made the NBA take notice, and honestly, due to his level of play and one phone recording, he got the attention of one of the best owners in the league. Even in his departure he was good to the franchise. He could’ve walked. He could’ve taken a massive pay day and left the Clippers completely empty handed. But he wanted to make sure the team didn’t have to deal with that, gave them a chance to get players, and now they have one of the most fun teams they’ve ever had. Even Doc the great coach has come back and is developing a ton of talent.

So on Monday when Paul hits the floor in a Rockets uniform, stand up, cheer for the man that helped drag a team out of the dark, and let him know how much you appreciate his contribution to the past and future of the LA Clippers.