Chris Paul’s Golden State swansong is pure box office. But will it work?

Stephen Curry, left, and Chris Paul have joined forces on Golden State in a union of former Western Conference nemeses. Photograph: Harry How/Getty Images

Sworn enemies team up for an epic final stand. It’s a movie trope older than Adam Silver.

This year, it’s the NBA’s turn to write that same script, with Golden State going full Hollywood, and Silver’s ongoing basketball soap opera getting yet another superb subplot: Chris Paul joining his former nemeses Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and co for one final title quest, in what may well be the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer’s last chance at a championship.