Chris Paul # 3 of Phoenix Suns controls the ball during a game against Utah Jazz on December 14, 2020 at the Wind Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlet / Getty Images)
If you have any hesitation about the Phoenix Sons trade for Chris Paul, the 35-year-old 10-time All-Star smashed you in the face with his pre-debut screenplay Monday night.
It was only 18 minutes and in fact the season, Paul showed his elite abilities in a short burst, releasing five points, two restarts and six assists to the Jazz at 111-92.
Paul’s position and the pressure on a defense is threatening, and this season is going to deliver dozens of free buckets to third-year hub Deandre Ayden.
Paul improves Ricky Rubio in many ways, and the biggest thing is that he is a complete attack threat, which is fear of defense. Importantly look at how easy it is for him to find the unrolled Ayton.
With his incredible handle, Paul can create so much space. Here, a huge explosion on the screen to set up an Aidan bucket again.
Paul played three short breaks in 4-5 minutes until Paul tested again at the start of the fourth quarter. Head coach Monty Williams said he would be very happy with the 12 minutes for Brijm Paul and gave him an extra change with some starting players.
After the game, Paul said it was his first time running a big-and-roll with Aiton, so if that was his first trip, it’s hard to find their ability to inspire a couple. The point guard on a new team usually said you would play with your team in the summer to develop chemistry, but he didn’t get that chance.
“We’re going to find it,” he said.
As usual, even when Paul was not playing, he was the coach. Rookie guard Die-Shaun Alexander had some questions, and Paul forced him the whole time.
“This is the way you become a team,” Paul said. “You don’t put it on paper and say, ‘This is it, this is how it should be. We have to build. So, communication is the way you create.”
This is Paul’s first game of the pre – season, having missed Saturday’s loss due to a right ankle injury. Paul was listed as questionable in the injury report Monday morning.
Paul said he needed Monday night and appreciated playing in Utah to help with the conditioning.
“I run and do exercises, and that’s it – nothing is like sports,” he said.