This is a reminder of what some of the great ones used to do. They were so confident their opponent couldn't stop them, that they would tell them what shot they were about to take and dared them to stop it. In most cases it usually ended up with them taking and making that shot too.

Fast forward to Game 2 of this series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers. Chris Paul decided he was going to pull that same mind trick on Damian Lillard.

Paul, in the triple threat position, told Lillard that he was about to take a shot in his face. It was up to Lillard to figure out when it was going up and how to stop it.

Article Continues Below
More Clippers News
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has some newcomers via the 2025 NBA Draft class.
LA Clippers 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the third quarter at Chase Center.
James Harden declines $36.3M option, plans to return to Clippers on 2-year dealTomer Azarly ·
Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) warms up before game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden with the Clippers logo in the background and the Spurs logo in the background
NBA rumors: Clippers to battle Spurs for Celtics free agentJosue Pavon ·
San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul (3) looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibilityTroy Finnegan ·
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) dribbles during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
NBA rumors: Could Bulls, Clippers be Celtics options for Anfernee Simons trade?Owen Crisafulli ·
Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) reacts after missing a three point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Clippers’ Nicolas Batum declines player option, but there’s a catchAbdullah Imran ·

RELATED: Damian Lillard ponders the idea of being the Kobe of Portland

It ended with Paul getting off a clean shot, same as the greats used to.

https://vine.co/v/iFu7mEL7bOX

Well played, CP3.