Chris Paul Officially Calls It A Career And Announces He's Retiring At The End Of The Season

Luke Hales. Getty Images.

OK first thing. I couldn't help but laugh at the "sources tell Shams" part of that tweet, considering CP3 himself tweeted that announcement/video hours before. Classic.

In terms of the actual announcement? I can't say this is even the least bit surprising. Chris Paul hadn't really been playing for the Clippers so far this season, and when he did, it was what I would call #notgood. Father Time eventually comes for everyone, and while CP3 was still a very productive player as a Spur last year, the same can't really be said for his second stint as a Clipper

Just 2 points a game on 27/27% splits, it's time. 

Aside from his play, this news isn't all that surprising considering CP3 himself told us way back in July that this was most likely going to be his final season

so really, this announcement was inevitable. Did I think it would come before Thanksgiving? No, but with the Clippers going nowhere (and not owning their own pick) you may as well just shift things to a CP3 retirement tour. 

In the end, Chris Paul will walk away from the NBA as one of the greatest players to never win a title. He got close, just 2 wins away back in 2021, but ultimately it wasn't in the cards. He'll join the likes of Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Elgin Baylor, John Stockton,  Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Dominique Wilkins, George Gervin, TMac, Chris Webber, Alex English, Vince Carter (and most likely James Harden and Russell Westbrook) which is unfortunate, but that's how it goes sometimes.

It's actually pretty crazy that some of the best point guards the NBA has ever seen (Stockton, Nash, Paul) never won a ring. That feels impossible, yet here we are.

And make no mistake, that's exactly what Chris Paul is. Point Gawd for a reason, and while he's not the perfect player there's no denying that he's one of the best point guards in NBA history. He's 2nd all time in assists and 2nd all time in steals, has double digits as both an All Star and All NBA player, and let's not overlook his 9x All NBA Defense selections as well. 

Paul is also currently 41st all time in points, 81st in rebounds, 27th all time in 3PM, 16th in games played, 5th in win shares, 3rd in offensive win shares, 3rd in AST% etc. I think you can the idea of the type of player we're talking about here

Remember when there used to be Chris Paul vs Deron Williams debates? Those were the days. 

It does make me feel a little old that one of the superstars from the current era that I've spent the last 20 years of my life watching is calling it quits, even though I knew it was coming. Time really does fly. It feels like just yesterday I was watching CP3 on the Hornets, and now here we are. I've always thought of Paul as one of those players where, as time has gone by, he's become less appreciated by the younger generation of fans. I guess that happens with every generation, but it does feel like especially true with Paul. 

Who knows what happens if he never pulled that hammy against the Warriors, and had the Suns not choked 4 games in a row, there's a universe where Paul has not one, but two rings. My guess is that for some, that would change how you view him as a player. For me, that would just be icing on the cake. I know what my eyes have been watching for the last 20 years. I'd say the same thing about Harden or Westbrook. A title won't change anything for me in terms of what I think about them as HOFers and all time players, just like it doesn't change how I view Paul. 

This is also a great reminder that the clock is ticking for all of the other older superstars/stars from our current era that are either in their 40s or are getting damn close. So my advice is if you enjoy watching some of the best to ever do it play basketball, do yourself a favor and make sure you tune in and watch. There's going to be a time when the retirement posts will be coming for them as well, so appreciate the greatness while we still can.