How the Performance of a 12-Time NBA All-Star is a Nightmare for the Clippers
The LA Clippers are coming face-to-face with a brutal reality they probably should have seen coming. For some reason, the organization believed that Chris Paul, now 40 years old, could turn back the clock and provide meaningful minutes throughout a grueling NBA season. They imagined a version of Paul who could rest strategically, pick his moments, and deliver in the playoffs when it mattered most. Four games into the season, that dream already feels like wishful thinking. His debut in Salt Lake City told the full story. He scored just four points with four assists one-for-five shooting from the field, and it was clear from the opening tip that the burst, timing, and control that once defined him are long gone.
The truth is that the Clippers were chasing nostalgia more than logic. Chris Paul is still one of the sharpest basketball minds in the game, but age has stripped away the quickness that made his genius effective. His value now lies in leadership, not production, and that’s a hard pill to swallow for a team built to win immediately. Over the next 78 games, Paul’s biggest challenge won’t be game planning; it will be staying relevant. His efficiency has plummeted, and his offensive output has been disappointing. The Clippers thought they could manage his minutes and unlock some playoff magic, yet that plan already looks unsustainable.
Tyronn Lue faces a tough decision that’s becoming clearer by the game: Chris Paul might need to take a seat. With the roster finally healthy, it’s time to consider giving Bojan Bogdanović more minutes while Paul transitions into a more limited role. The numbers don’t lie. Through four games, Paul is shooting under 30% from the field, averaging only two and a half points and four assists. His defensive rating of 104.1 looks solid on paper, but his offensive rating of 90.8 tells the real story. The Clippers signed him for playmaking, not defense, and so far, he’s struggled to contribute consistently in either area.
If Paul becomes the designated “coach’s decision” DNP moving forward, it might be the best outcome for both sides. Bogdanović needs minutes to find rhythm and become a reliable scorer off the bench, while Paul could focus on mentoring and spot contributions instead of trying to do what his body no longer allows. The sad part is that the Clippers should have seen this coming. Outside of LeBron James, no player at 40 has been able to dominate the NBA grind. Chris Paul isn’t washed, he’s just human. Maybe, in time, his awareness and basketball IQ can still shine through in smaller moments, but the Clippers’ gamble on the “Point God” becoming their missing piece has quickly turned into a harsh lesson about time catching up to everyone.
