NBA All-Star Chris Paul’s exit from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets was one of the biggest moves of the offseason, and in a new docuseries, the Point God spoke through his decision with JAY-Z.
ESPN will premiere the first episode of “Chris Paul’s Chapter 3” on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The docuseries will follow his journey to decide to relocate to Houston.
In an advance clip, Paul is in the studio with JAY-Z, No ID and Young Guru, possibly when Hov was working on 4:44. Paul said he was bothered by the idea of moving his family out of Los Angeles, where he has played for the past six seasons.
“I’ve been all messed up. Where my kids go to school, my brother’s kids go to school. We love it out here,” Paul said to JAY, who was sitting to his left. “Life is great, my wife, even getting to see y’all. But basketball…boy.”
The Los Angeles Clippers were known as one of the league’s most talented, underachieving teams – despite having stars like Paul and Blake Griffin, they never made it past the second round of the playoffs. But Paul said it was more than records and early trips into the offseason.
“People see the wins and losses, but it’s the culture of our team. If you ain’t trying to contend with the Warriors, then what are you doing?” Paul said, referring to the Golden State Warriors, who have won two of the last three NBA championships. “The Warriors haven’t lost in the playoffs. If you aren’t trying to contend with them, then what are you doing?”
In another clip, Paul spoke about how joining the Rockets would be a good fit for the changes he wants to make to his game. He likes the prospect of sharing ballhandling duties with NBA MVP runner-up James Harden.
“I’ve said this for the longest, I have the ball in my hands way too much. I’m so tired of dribbling and having to do so much. I would love to be able to get on the wing, and shoot the ball, and stuff like that,” he said.
JAY-Z, who is also a father, empathized with the difficulty of the decision that his friend would have to make.
“Do you want to uproot your family? Your kids in school, they love their friends. That whole move, you did that already,” JAY asked. “Or, do you keep your residence in LA? It’s going to be hard.”
ESPN will premiere the first episode of “Chris Paul’s Chapter 3” on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.