{"id":101030,"date":"2025-07-29T03:23:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T03:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/101030\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T03:23:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T03:23:12","slug":"chris-paul-glad-to-be-back-home-in-l-a-with-the-clippers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/101030\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Paul glad to be back home in L.A. with the Clippers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before Chris Paul<\/a>\u2019s voice echoed through the room, his reasons for returning home were staring at him.<\/p>\n

His three children, perched quietly next to their mom, Jada Crawley<\/a>, watched as Paul talked about why he decided to return to the Clippers<\/a>. Paul\u2019s mother sat in the second row of the news conference with a beaming smile. <\/p>\n

Chris Paul was back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a no-brainer. The easiest decision in this is sitting right up here,\u201d Paul said, gesturing to his family in the front three rows. \u201cRight here, it\u2019s my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

When Paul was first introduced as a Clipper in December 2011, he spoke of measuring up against \u201cbig brother\u201d Chauncey Billups and soaring alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan \u2014 a core that would lob their way into Clippers lore.<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s first message to L.A. were three constants \u2014 the allure of the city, the talent beside him and a title that still eluded them.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Paul traded the sharp lines of his 2011 debut suit and red silk tie for something looser \u2014 flowing black slacks, red Nike Air Jordan 1s and a flash of gold on his wrist. And 14 years after his L.A. premiere, he spoke of sharing the court with James Harden<\/a> and Kawhi Leonard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But this time, the Clippers star-studded lineup wasn\u2019t what lit his path home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary,\u201d Paul said. \u201cI didn\u2019t even care what the team looked like. I just wanted to be home, be here with the Clippers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chris <\/p>\n

Chris Paul\u2019s wife, Jada Crawley, center, sits next to their children and family during Paul\u2019s news conference at the Intuit Dome on Monday.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

Gratitude washed over Paul\u2019s words \u2014 for his year in San Antonio, for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue<\/a>, for Clippers owner Steve Ballmer<\/a> and for a 21st season. But anchoring it all was his family.<\/p>\n

Paul is no longer thinking about playing in another city away from his family. The tearful send-offs are behind him. His mornings now begin with sunrise workouts with his son. He winds down in the evenings talking to his daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo tell you the truth, my wife and my kids probably [are] tired of me already,\u201d Paul said, his wife laughing. \u201cBecause ever since I got the news, every time we home, I\u2019m just jumping around talking about, \u2018I\u2019m home, I\u2019m home, I\u2019m home.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chris <\/p>\n

Chris Paul, signs autographs and greets fans during a news conference at the Intuit Dome on Monday.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

As familiar as he is with the Clippers, Paul said his return still felt surreal \u2014 the No. 3 stitched onto a Clippers jersey, his name gleaming above the locker and a \u201cWelcome Back\u201d message circling the halo board.<\/p>\n

What makes it even sweeter? A brand new stage. The last time Paul played for the Clippers, they played at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena). On Monday, he got an up-close look at the Intuit Dome.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalking around now, it\u2019s a total different feeling,\u201d Paul said. \u201cLast time I walked through here, I was just sort of peeking because I didn\u2019t know if a guy on the current team was here and they [were] like, \u2018What the hell are you doing here?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Chris Paul was visibly emotional as Clippers fans stood in ovation and chanted \u201cCP3\u201d as their star returned to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is crazy,\u201d Paul said. pic.twitter.com\/pbggEBpPGS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) July 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul noted the franchise\u2019s makeover \u2014 new colors, new logo \u2014 but one thing, he said, hadn\u2019t budged: the fans.<\/p>\n

One corner of Crypto.com Arena still lives staunchly in Paul\u2019s memory. Section 114 housed the pockets of Clippers die-hards he\u2019d glance at after every dagger three or rim-rattling \u201cLob City\u201d spectacle. <\/p>\n

Some fans, Paul said, even pledged loyalty in ink. Back then, some made a pact that if the Clippers scored 114 points in a game, they\u2019d get a \u201c114\u201d tattoo. When the team delivered, so did they.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fans here are like none other,\u201d Paul said. \u201cThey are really fans of the game. \u2026 The team and everybody, they deserve good things and deserve to see this team win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul got a full dose of nostalgia a short time later when dozens of Clippers fans gave him a standing ovation, chanting, \u201cCP3!\u201d<\/p>\n

He sank into his seat, shoulders folding inward as he clasped his hands \u2014 emotion creeping in as the cheers grew louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is crazy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

So as Paul rose from the podium and thanked the media, his mother held her gaze, her smile still stitched in place. For eight years, she\u2019d grown used to goodbyes. But this time, there would be no parting hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of those things I kind of manifested for a long time, sort of tried to speak it into existence,\u201d Paul said. \u201cBecause I love to hoop, I love to play this game, but I love my family more than any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n