The-Pivot-Podcast
In an interview titled "Chris Paul on Teammates, Titles, Kobe, Legacy, Parenting & Sixty-One Tribute to Grandpa | The Pivot," NBA star Chris Paul discusses a range of topics. He emphasizes the importance of building a legacy for his family, reflects on setbacks such as injuries and trades, and discusses his love for the game of basketball. Paul also discusses his parenting philosophy and the importance of being present for his family. He talks about his grandfather's impact on his life and how it has motivated him to honor his legacy. Additionally, he discusses his initiatives to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), his tenure as a union president, and his thoughts on leadership and social justice issues.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about his family and parenting, emphasizing the importance of his kids having the opportunity to watch him play basketball and see the work he puts in. He shares stories of his teammates and coaches and their families, including JJ Redick, Monty Williams, and Coach’s son, who is a top-five player in the country. Paul also discusses the difference between basketball and football, noting that while it seems very common for basketball players' children to follow in their footsteps, many football players won't allow their kids to play the sport due to the physical demands.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about his perspective on allowing his son to play football after speaking with former NFL player Pat Carney about his decision to allow his son to play despite the risks of head injuries. Paul laments that he didn't allow his son to play earlier since football builds a certain level of athleticism that translates to basketball, which necessitates faking and playing soft when pushed. Chris also talks about his kids and how he pushes them to play diverse sports, unlike his son who only wants to play basketball.
In this section, Chris Paul recounts the day he learned his grandfather was sick and how it affected him. He was at a high school football game just a day after signing to play basketball at Wake Forest when he received a call from his brother that their grandfather was ill. This was particularly difficult for him because of the close relationship he shared with his grandfather, who had taken on the role of patriarch for the family. When his grandfather passed away, Chris felt the weight of responsibility to take up that role for his family. The title of his book, "61," commemorates his grandfather's age at his passing, and Chris recounts how he scored 61 points in a basketball game for his high school in honor of his grandfather.
In this section, Chris Paul discusses the importance of family and legacy, as he reflects on his grandfather's impact on his life and the significance of his own basketball achievements for his children and future generations. He talks about finding old family videos and the emotional reaction from his family, including his mom who called him crying. He also talks about his decision to pass the ball instead of taking shots and how it reflects his facilitator style of play, but also acknowledges it as one of his biggest faults. He credits his father and grandfather for teaching him how to be a father and husband, and how it has helped him debunk myths and stereotypes about black fatherhood.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about the importance of being present for his family despite the demands of being a professional athlete, recalling a time when he brought his son to a game and received criticism from Talking Heads for being "disrespectful", but explaining that he saw an opportunity to be a dad for a moment. He also reflects on the lack of historical education that caused him to be unfamiliar with the significance of HBCUs when he was growing up, but now supports these institutions due to his understanding of the crucial role they play in educating black individuals who were once excluded from predominantly white institutions.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about his initiatives to support HBCUs and how he was influenced to graduate from Winston-Salem University instead of Wake Forest. He explains that it's not just about wearing the shirts and hoodies but actually putting dollars and cents behind it. Later on, he discusses why he wanted to get his degree despite already earning a lot of money and being successful, stating that it was about completion and finishing something he had started. Moreover, he talks about the difficulty of dealing with so many almost-championships and how hard it is for his wife and kids who have to bear late nights and dealing with other children's negative comments.
In this section, Chris Paul discusses how he deals with setbacks, including injuries and criticism, by being harder on himself and working hard to prevent them from happening again. He also talks about his desire to win a championship, but emphasizes his gratitude for still being able to play and his understanding that winning a championship won't bring him back to playing. Later in the video, he shares a story about a proposed trade to the Lakers that fell through, but the experience taught him the importance of being excited about the game and reminded him of the special bond he shares with Kobe Bryant.
In this section, NBA player Chris Paul talks about his strong bond with the city of New Orleans and how it will always hold a special place in his heart. He had a real family there, and his foundation does work there too. He even had a party after every game he played in New Orleans, and he recalls being out on Poydras celebrating with his family and the city on crutches the night the Saints won the Super Bowl. He also reveals that the team was telling them that they were leaving and moving to different places like Kansas City or San Diego, which is why he and David West decided it was time to move on.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about his disappointment in being traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011, which ultimately fell through due to a complicated issue with his bird rights. He also reflects on his time playing for the USA basketball team in 2008, particularly the advice he received from Coach K about not leaving one's ego behind. Paul recalls the intense tryouts the team had to go through and how the experience helped them to eventually bring back the dominance of the dream team. He also mentions his good friend Gilbert Arenas, who was unfortunately cut from the team in 2006.
In this section, NBA star Chris Paul discusses the importance of respect among teammates, rather than necessarily being friends off the court. He explains that he has been on teams where he was close to his teammates but also on teams where he wasn't, emphasizing that the most successful teams come from having a trust factor amongst players and invested in wanting to see each other win. Paul also discusses how he has been able to adjust to different teams and locker rooms thanks to his competitiveness, which he suggests can be intimidating for some. He explains that a lot of players start to appreciate you more after the fact, often acknowledging how tough you were when no one is pushing them anymore.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about his experience getting traded from Houston to Oklahoma City and how he found "Joy" and renewed passion for the game after joining the Thunder. He discusses the lack of communication from the team after the trade and how he had to take it upon himself to reach out to his new teammates. He also addresses the rumors about him not wanting to be in OKC and stresses the importance of open communication and honesty in the locker room. Paul acknowledges that not everyone will like him and that he has faced criticism for decisions he has made as a union president, but he remains true to himself and his values as a leader.
In this section, Chris Paul talks about the bubble and how many players were hesitant to participate in it due to concerns about the pandemic. He also mentions his love for the game of basketball and his extensive knowledge of it, from grassroots to the NBA level. He shares that while he is not interested in coaching due to the travel, he enjoys coaching his AAU team. Additionally, he discusses his grandfather's achievement as the first African-American in North Carolina to own a service station, and how owning it meant doing the work yourself. The conversation also touches on leadership and social justice issues, including the work stoppage after the Jacob Blake incident.
In this section, Chris Paul reflects on his experience of standing up for what he believes in. He describes how he and other players in the NBA handled the situation when Jacob Blake was shot, leading to the decision to not play games that night. Paul discusses the importance of being able to articulate his thoughts and stand up for those who don't have a voice, noting that being in a position of leadership both on the basketball court and at home comes with its own set of challenges. He recalls the pressure of being the one to make decisions and plan meetings but also acknowledges the importance of taking action when necessary, even if it means not being well-liked by everyone.
In this section, Chris Paul discusses the biggest pivot in his life, which he says is investing more time in those who deserve it. He talks about how he's always been a people pleaser, having a hard time saying no, and always showing up for people who did him wrong. However, he's been working to change that and now prioritizes the people who show up for him. He also shares some personal anecdotes, such as his grandfather's death and how it still affects him today, and how he was always focused on doing the work, even when he was younger and there were parties going on. Finally, he thanks the interviewers for the opportunity to talk and says he's constantly learning and a work in progress.
In this section, Chris Paul reflects on his close friendships with fellow NBA players Brian Mellow and Dwyane Wade, and how certain things are only known between the closest of friends. He expresses appreciation for having a platform to share these personal experiences, and reflects on a conversation he had with Sandy, where he joked about potentially being able to play in the league if he had great court vision, excellent handles, and an impressive shot.
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