Many felt that Chris Paul lacked a bit of self-awareness this week.
The Golden State Warriors guard Paul is serving as a guest analyst for ESPN during the conference final round. On Tuesday’s coverage of Boston Celtics-Indiana Pacers Game 1, Paul made his debut and gave some advice on how to handle playoff pressure.
"You have to block out the clutter." @CP3 on how to handle the pressure in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/kDcq5aeXFE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 21, 2024
Unfortunately for Paul, fans on social media found his comments very ironic considering his history of shortcomings in the playoffs. Here were some of the funniest posts roasting Paul over his remarks.
“How do you deal with the pressure? Hypothetically of course.”
— Jerod Frank (@Jerod_Frank) May 22, 2024
This like asking a bald man about hair growth techniques
— Logo (@RealRodell) May 22, 2024
“And next on ESPN, we will be asking a starving child how they meal plan” https://t.co/j4yqyrLIXg
— Fluka Magic (@FlukaMagic) May 21, 2024
https://t.co/5dPyneadK5 pic.twitter.com/MJEmucMXEY
— Mikey Cooks 🇭🇹 (@Mikey_Cooks) May 22, 2024
ESPN is trying to provide perspective from current NBA veterans, and Paul, who has played 19 seasons and gone on 15 playoff runs is well-qualified to speak. He has also risen to the occasion in the postseason numerous times, most notably a Game 7 series-winner against the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.
But Paul’s playoff history is also littered with countless failures. Many know him for his tendency to turn the ball over on crucial late possessions, deliver clunky shooting performances in some of the biggest games of the season, or otherwise allow huge leads to slip away. That reputation will likely continue to follow the now 39-year-old Paul until he wins his first championship ring (if ever). With very few seasons left for him to play in the NBA, it makes Paul’s decision on where to sign this offseason all the more interesting.
