Chris Paul may have needed to eliminate his former team to lead the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals, but that doesn't mean he has completely forgotten his time with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In fact, in Paul's emotional speech after winning Game 6 and booking their ticket to the Finals, he sent a heartwarming message for the Clippers and the whole LA fan base in attendance at Staples Center. The Suns playmaker called the team and its fans his “family” before emphasizing he will always be a Clipper no matter what.
Chris Paul giving love to #ClipperNation after accepting the Western Conference Championship trophy at Staples Center: "@BillyCrystal, that's my family… I'll always be a Clipper. I love these fans." pic.twitter.com/d54IZS9Tzg
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 1, 2021
Chris Paul spent six years with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017. While the team became playoff contenders during that time, they were never able to exorcise their postseason demons and repeatedly failed to make it to the finale. The farthest they got with CP3 manning the point was the second round, even losing a 3-1 lead against the Houston Rockets in the 2015 playoffs.
Despite the postseason disappointments he suffered with the team, it is clear Paul has never lost his love for the Clippers. Besides, it can be said he's a key contributor in helping the franchise grow in popularity. No one will certainly forget the Lob City Clippers he created with Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan.
While it is a bitter ending for LA supporters seeing their former star succeed in a different team–something they were never able to see–a lot of fans will surely root for Paul and the Suns as he now moves on to the biggest moment of his career: his first NBA Finals.