Coaching | Inside Chris Paul’s Head | NBA

The stat is crazy but the Suns have won all 36 games they have taken the lead in at the start of the fourth quarter this season! And Chris Paul’s mastery in hot moments helps a lot.

The “Point God” demonstrated this again last night, against the Clippers. Phoenix thus seemed to have taken to their heels at the end of the third quarter, but Los Angeles came back, and even took the advantage six minutes from the end. Chris Paul had quietly compiled 10 points and 10 assists during the first three quarters, but he will still raise his voice in the “money-time”.

“Fixing” opposing defenders

Without doing crazy things, the 36-year-old veteran will mainly use his knowledge of the game to “fix” opposing defenders, in order to find good positions or his teammates.

First illustration with this two-screen pick-and-roll, well disturbed by Robert Covington. But Chris Paul takes advantage of a new display from DeAndre Ayton at the free throw level, and when Ivica Zubac gets a little too close to him, as Reggie Jackson returns, he can throw his pivot to the alley-oop .

Just after, on a counter-attack, Chris Paul has to negotiate a 4-against-2 but we feel from the moment he crosses the middle line that he has in mind to serve Devin Booker, who goes up the field on the other side. Again, he must “fix” Reggie Jackson in order to send his partner to the alley-oop and regain a five-point lead.

This time, and despite a little confusion at the start of the action, Chris Paul took advantage of Deandre Ayton’s good screen to be able to attack the Clippers in the middle. Scalded, Ivica Zubac does not want to be caught behind his back, and he therefore tries to prevent the penetration of the Suns leader, but also the pass lobbed towards the pivot. Except that his opponent sees a small opening, and then takes the opportunity to place a small floater with the board.

Mind-blowing mastery

The art of Chris Paul is thus to create openings for himself, in his favorite areas, while taking advantage of the slightest moment when the opposing defenders are “fixed” to serve his teammates.

The next action, which will kill the match, is undoubtedly the best illustration of his overall know-how. Chris Paul thus asks for a simple screen to be able to attack Luke Kennard, the most friable defender of the Clippers on the ground. He then works in his preferred zone and looks set to take a mid-range shot. Except he feels Robert Covington’s help as he rises. He still “fixed” two opposing defenders, and can serve Mikal Bridges, who scored the 3-point win.

It’s not very hard in theory but, in practice, constantly finding the right angle, the right pass timing, the right opening is on the contrary incredibly difficult. And Chris Paul has never seemed so mastered.