SAN ANTONIO — During his introductory conference, San Antonio Spurs' Chris Paul sent a direct message to the fan base: He hates to lose.
"I always say I hate to lose more than I like to win," the 12-time All-Star said.
Paul – the hard-nosed, rugged point guard who ranks No. 3 all-time in NBA career assists – has built a reputation in his storied career as a player who will do everything and anything to win.
Even if it irritates his teammates at times.
"Chris, he expected a lot out of all of us, and I think that people get rubbed the wrong way with that," DeAndre Jordan said on the "Podcast P with Paul George" show. "I think when you’re young, you’re kind of like ‘Damn, what the (expletive?)’"
Say what you will about Paul's on-court persona or interactions with teammates, but the point is clear: He wants to win at all costs.
His former Warriors teammate, Kevon Looney, gave insight into what many in the NBA have experienced playing with or against the Spurs point guard.
He'll compete hard on the floor, gain the respect of his team, and impart much wisdom.
“After competing against him for years, I respect him as a player and a basketball mind already, but he was always our archrival — it was whatever the team he was on, it was always 'Chris Paul'! So he got a lot of hate in our locker room for a long time," said Lonney in an interview with Brandon Robinson on ScoopB.com. "But by actually having him on our side and competing to win and going to war with him, he gained so much more respect from me."
The young Spurs will need that killer instinct on the court as the franchise looks to emerge from its rebuild.
Paul joined a team that was the youngest in Gregg Popovich's tenure as head coach last year, with an average age of 23.5.
His years of experience are expected to help advance the player and team's development, even if he isn't with the Spurs when the rebuild concludes.
"He’s already a Hall of Fame player and just to learn from him and see his work ethic every day. You see how much he really loves the game of basketball, how much he cares about growing the game and how the game continues to carry on is just amazing," said Looney. "I learned a lot from him."
Paul is already training with his new teammates for the 2024-25 season.
His new teammates are eager to get on the court with him and learn from one of the best the NBA has ever seen.
"He's probably one of the best point guards to ever play in the league," rookie Stephon Castle said. "I've been connecting with CP3 since they announced he's coming to the Spurs."
"I got in touch with Chris Paul when I was in Europe and I've also spoken to Harrison Barnes. They're good guys and great players, so I'm excited to work with them and get ready for the season," forward Jeremy Sochan said.
Looney also marvels at Paul's NBA longevity. At 39 years old and having played 19 seasons, he can still positively impact a team, as he did with the Thunder a few years back and the Warriors last season.
Last season, he appeared in 58 games, averaging 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 26.4 minutes. He finished the season with the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA at 5.17.
"I learned how to be more professional, how to take care of yourself. For him to be in year 20 next year as a small guard and still competing at a high level as a starter and as a big-time player, as a guy going into Year 10, I want to be able to play a long time like him," Looney added. "I have to be able to see how he takes care of his body and how he watches the game and loves the game, seeing his thought process really changed mine too."
Paul made it clear he didn't come to the Spurs to "coach" but rather to win and find a place where he can start and contribute. However, he did say he embraces the challenges of mentoring young players "very seriously."
Paul's presence will undoubtedly be felt early and often in Spurs training camp, games, and the locker room.
"I just hate to lose," Paul said.
What say you, Spurs fans? Let us know on X at KENS 5 and JeffGSpursKENS5.