Chris Paul returns to the Clippers with a new role: &quot: I still long to fight "

The Los Angeles Clippers held a debut ceremony for new aid Chris Paul at Intuit Dome on Monday. The veteran, who has been in the NBA for 20 years, returned to his old club who had been with a base salary contract a week ago (2011-2017).

Paul, who moved from New Orleans to the Clippers in December 2011, settled in Los Angeles, and his family all appeared in the front row of the press conference. Although Paul, 40, may choose to retire after this season, he has not made a final decision yet.

"Don't mention this," Paul smiled when asked about the possibility of retirement. "To be honest, I'm totally focused on the game now. Enjoying basketball day after day... It feels great to be with my family without counting down the days of leaving home. This is what I cherish the most now." The main reason why Paul chose to return to the Clippers was his desire to reunite with his family who settled in Los Angeles - he has traveled to Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State and San Antonio in the past eight seasons. But the veteran admitted that no matter what role the team arranged, returning to the Clippers is a "decision without hesitation." Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, made it clear that Paul will serve as the backup point guard, and the veteran who started all 82 games with the Spurs last season (becoming the first player in NBA history to remain fully attending in his 20th season of his career) readily accepted the arrangement.

"There are always people trying to write stories for me," Paul said. "I was on vacation with my family and saw rumors that 'he won't join unless the starter is guaranteed to start'. But for me, it's worth thanking for being able to compete for 20 years. The easiest option is to sit by my family. This gives me the opportunity to accompany them more and continue to chase the championship."

"Although the role is very different from the past 20 years, I look forward to using my professional attitude to influence young players every day," Paul added. "It shows what professionalism is like clocking in to work, which makes me full of energy."

Paul especially thanks the Spurs for the opportunities they gave him last season - especially the team owners Holt family, CEO Buford, president and former coach Greg Popovich, current coach Mickey Johnson and all teammates.

"If I hadn't had my experience with the Spurs last year, I wouldn't have had the chance to return to the Clippers this year," Paul said at a press conference on Monday. "So I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Spurs."

Paul revealed that over the years he "has been eager to return to the Clippers at all costs." After the press conference, he participated in the return celebration held by the stadium and interacted cordially with Clippers fans and season ticket holders. When the live commentator Brian Sieman introduced him to the appearance, the veteran was once unable to suppress his feelings.

"Fans who are familiar with me know that I always play with a special fighting spirit and passion," Paul said to the fans on the scene. "But deep down, I always feel that something is missing. I am extremely excited to be able to truly return to the Clippers to play now."

Paul's return marks the Clippers' cycle of an era - before he joined, the team never won a single season of 60%. Since his 2011-12 season, the Clippers have set the longest record of winning in the league in a row. Although Paul humbly stated that he should not evaluate how the Clippers transform into a more attractive team, being able to fight alongside outstanding players such as Kawhi Leonard and former Rockets teammate James Harden is of great significance to him.

"Many people have made great contributions to changing the team culture," Paul said. "Think about it: although the color of the jersey has been changed and the team logo has also been changed, the core fan group has not changed. What I most look forward to is to be able to cooperate with players like Leonard - he has personally participated in the reshaping of the team culture, and the addition of outstanding teammates such as Harden, which is exciting."

Paul mentioned that now is the players enjoying the offseason, so his communication with new teammates is still relatively limited. He trained with new teammate Bradley Bill in Augusta, Georgia at EYBL Nike Peach Jam (Bill’s team eventually won the championship). Speaking of the reunion with Harden since parting ways in 2019 - when Paul was traded from the Rockets to the Thunder - Paul admitted that there was indeed tension between the two as teammates in the 2018-19 season, and some video clips circulating online are proof of this.

"We talked about these things, and of course we also recalled our years at the Rockets," Paul said. "It's actually quite interesting. The clips circulating on the Internet have more interesting interactions. That's how we get along - it's this kind of straightforward relationship that makes that team so special."

"The Rockets can be said to be one of the most interesting teams I've ever been in my career. Harden is the kind of person who can spend the whole day in the arena. It's wonderful to get another chance to cooperate after many years. We all know that there was an unfinished career back then, and now we finally have the opportunity to continue our relationship here."

When Paul is about to start the new season, he is clearly aware that many things have changed - including his own mentality and his position in the history of the Clippers. Although he will put on his familiar jersey number again, things have changed. Now he is able to step into the Intuit Dome as a member of the team rather than an opponent, which makes him feel very moved.

"This is not where we played back then, right?" Paul said. "I witnessed this stadium from scratch. I remember the first preseason held here, and I always pay attention to everything here. This kind of concern is involuntary - anyone who has devoted his efforts and established bonds to this team, no matter where he wanders in the future, the Clippers will always be the most special place in their hearts."