![]() The Spurs having two defensive stoppers would make a future matchup with the Warriors intriguing. Even if Parker was healthy, how much of a difference would he have made? Of course, it didn’t help that Leonard was out for most of the series, along with Tony Parker’s absence. The Spurs backcourt got crushed by the Warriors in the 2017 Western Conference finals. Leonard can defend Kevin Durant, while Paul guards Stephen Curry and try to keep them in check as much as possible. It’s made the San Diego State product arguably the best two-way player in the NBA.Īdding Chris Paul to the mix to team with Leonard will give the Spurs a top defensive duo to counter the Warriors. He’s only grown into this role, as his offensive game has developed into one of the best in the league. They had dynamic defenders like Bruce Bowen on the perimeter and Tim Duncan in the low post, but now are left with a premier player on the perimeter: Kawhi Leonard.įor the past few years, Leonard has been the defensive catalyst for the Spurs. It has carried them to championships, including the defensive standout years of 20. Chris Paul, Kawhi Leonard Make for Top Defensive Duoĭefense has always been a specialty for Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports 3. Days later, he was reportedly headed to Golden State, where he is set to team with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and coach Steve Kerr.Los Angeles, CA, USA San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) posts up on LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter at Staples Center. Roughly a week or so after the Nuggets clinched their title, news broke of Paul being dealt to the Wizards. Phoenix took a decided step back (45-37) in 2022-23 and reached the West semis, falling to eventual-champion Denver in six games. That meant little, though, in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals as Phoenix was blasted by 33 points behind the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks. ![]() The following season was outstanding for Phoenix as it went 64-18 and was the No. Despite building a 2-0 lead in the series, though, Paul and the Suns couldn’t overtake the Milwaukee Bucks and lost the series in Game 6. He delivered in Game 6 of the West Finals to send Phoenix to its first Finals since 1993. 2 mark in the West, but Paul was at his best in the playoffs. The Suns went 51-21, finishing with the No. Phoenix had delivered a solid showing during the 2020 restart bubble in Orlando and was looking to make a next step forward for the 2020-21 season.Įnter Paul, who teamed with All-Star guard Devin Booker, talented big man Deandre Ayton and a deep cast of role players. The buzz: For Paul, the fourth trade was the charm - in terms of making it to the NBA Finals at last. In Phoenix, Chris Paul teamed with Kevin Durant and during the 2022-23 season. A season later, Paul was on the move again. Game 7 was in Houston, but the Rockets went cold from 3-point range and lost the game. ![]() But Paul injured his right hamstring in Game 5 of that series and missed the next two games. The Rockets built a 3-2 series lead against the defending-champion Golden State Warriors in the 2018 Western Conference Finals. ![]() In Houston, the hope was Paul and Harden could power the Rockets to their first NBA Finals since 1995 … and they nearly did. ![]() At the time, Paul was a nine-time All-Star who had averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals over his 12-year career. The buzz: The Rockets were looking to add some additional star power to their backcourt and found it in Paul, who would team with resident star James Harden in Houston.
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