{"id":151399,"date":"2025-07-21T15:42:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T19:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=151399"},"modified":"2025-07-21T15:42:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T19:42:32","slug":"chris-pauls-greatest-clippers-moments-a-farewell-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/21\/chris-pauls-greatest-clippers-moments-a-farewell-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Paul\u2019s Greatest Clippers Moments: A Farewell Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>LOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2013 <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paulch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Paul<\/a> is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/clippers\/\" target=\"_self\">Clippers<\/a> again. The 40-year-old guard and 12-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Clippers. Paul previously played with LA for six seasons from 2011-17. This will be his 21st and final season, so it\u2019s only fitting his farewell tour happens with the team where he became a superstar.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s rewind to the best moments that made CP3 the face of \u201cLob City\u201d and a Clippers icon.<\/p>\n<h2>Chris Paul\u2019s Greatest Clippers Moments: A Farewell Tour Fitting for a Legend<\/h2>\n<h3>The Birth of Lob City<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_151462\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-151462\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-151462\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres-1024x770.jpg\" alt=\"The Lob City Clippers were the era that Chris Paul built alongside Griffin and made the Clippers a free agent destination \" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres-1024x770.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres-1536x1155.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_8300269_168415934_lowres.jpg 1757w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-151462\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball down the court followed by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can\u2019t talk about Paul\u2019s Clippers stint without remembering how he turned the franchise into must-see TV. When the Clippers traded for him in December 2011, they paired him with young <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/griffbl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blake Griffin<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jordade01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeAndre Jordan.<\/a> The result? A highlight reel every single night. Paul\u2019s alley-oops to Griffin and Jordan became legendary. CP3 was the engine behind Lob City.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"1 HOUR of the &quot;Lob City&quot; Clippers Best Moments\ud83d\udc40\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RBiy-Ij4yvY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>The 17-Game Win Streak<\/h3>\n<p>One of the defining stretches of Paul\u2019s Clippers career came during the 2012-13 season.<br \/>\nCP3 guided the team to a franchise-best 17-game win streak. That run put the league on notice that the Clippers were no longer the laughingstock of LA basketball.<br \/>\nPaul orchestrated everything. He averaged 16.4 points and 9.4 assists during that stretch and delivered signature moments, including a 24-point, 13-assist and 5-steal masterclass against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Kings<\/a> that sealed win No. 12.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top 10: The Clippers 17-Game Win Streak\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vEXGT9nkTdg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>The Game-Winner Against the Spurs<\/h3>\n<p>Ask Clippers fans about CP3\u2019s biggest moment and they\u2019ll point to May 2, 2015. Game 7. First round. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/spurs\/\" target=\"_self\">Spurs<\/a> vs. Clippers.<\/p>\n<p>Playing on a bad hamstring, Paul hit one of the most iconic shots in franchise history. With seconds left and the score tied, CP3 banked in a tough runner over <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duncati01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tim Duncan<\/a>. He finished with 27 points that night, scoring 18 in the second half to send the defending champion Spurs home. He scored five daggers from behind-the-arc. \u201cThat was probably the biggest shot of my career,\u201d Paul said afterward. The image of him limping and celebrating with his teammates still lives rent-free in Clippers lore.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chris Paul&#039;s series-winning shot vs Spurs!! - Game 7 - Incredible!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zkpv8Qv_x_U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>CP3 vs. The Warriors<\/h3>\n<p>Before the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/warriors\/\" target=\"_self\">Warriors<\/a> dynasty fully formed, CP3\u2019s Clippers gave them all they could handle. The 2014 first-round series between the Clippers and Warriors was peak entertainment.<br \/>\nPaul <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paulch01\/gamelog\/2014\/#41-47-sum:player_game_log_post\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">averaged<\/a> 17.4 points and 9 assists shooting 45.9% on threes in that seven-game slugfest. He also gave us the classic behind-the-back dribble to a crossover on <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steph Curry<\/a>, leaving him stumbling while Paul drained the jumper.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stephen Curry vs Chris Paul EPIC Duel Highlights 2014 Playoffs West R1G1 - Warriors at Clippers\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bCRUAjGap30?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Setting Franchise Records<\/h3>\n<p>Paul\u2019s time with the Clippers wasn\u2019t just highlight dunks and clutch shots. He brought professionalism, consistency, and a winning culture. He left LA as the franchise leader in assists per game (9.8) and steals per game (2.2). Under CP3, the Clippers made the playoffs every single year \u2014 something that was unheard of before he arrived. His impact turned the Clippers into a destination rather than an afterthought. One could say his time on the team laid the groundwork for the blockbuster additions of <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul George<\/a> in the summer of 2019. Now he and Kawhi will be teammates chasing a first championship for the Clippers franchise.<\/p>\n<h3>A Poetic Goodbye<\/h3>\n<p>Now, at 40, Paul comes back to where his superstardom peaked. Chris Paul\u2019s final season will give Clippers fans one last chance to celebrate the Point God. Closing the curtain on a Hall of Fame career will finally give the Clippers their first true chance to say farewell to a franchise legend. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcadobo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bob McAdoo<\/a> didn&#8217;t retire on the Clippers. Nor did Griffin or <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brandel01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elton Brand. <\/a>Jordan is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/nuggets\/\" target=\"_self\">Nuggets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>His vision, leadership, and craft will forever be part of the franchise\u2019s DNA. And no matter how this final run goes, those six seasons from 2011 to 2017 will always remind the NBA that for a moment, Lob City ruled the skies \u2014 and Paul was the pilot.<\/p>\n<p><label>Credit: <\/label>\u00a9 Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LOS ANGELES \u2013 Chris Paul is on the Clippers again. The 40-year-old guard and 12-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Clippers. Paul previously played with LA for six seasons from 2011-17. This will be his 21st and final season, so it\u2019s only fitting his farewell tour happens with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":151456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,1608,62,3],"tags":[226,229,228,168,4557,50],"class_list":["post-151399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-clippers","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","tag-blake-griffin","tag-chris-paul","tag-deandre-jordan","tag-kawhi-leonard","tag-nba-offseason","tag-paul-george"],"modified_by":"Frederick Okocha","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151399"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151465,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151399\/revisions\/151465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}