Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe Chris Paul and the Golden State Warriors are the seamless fit many believe them to be. Paul, 38, is at his best when initiating the offense via the pick-and-roll and excels within a half-court offense. Steve Kerr prefers his Warriors team to run a high-paced motion offense predicated on movement and sharp cutting.
Before preseason began, Kerr discussed the need to meet Paul halfway. The Warriors will look to shape some of their offensive principles around the veteran guard. However, Smith, who was speaking on a recent episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” believes that could compromise what made Golden State so fearsome throughout their 10-year dynasty.
“Chris Paul is not one that you need to push the pace,” Smith said. “He’s 38 years of age. He turns 39 in May. Steph Curry turns 36, I believe, in March. Klay Thompson is gonna be 34… I got to tell you something right now: I am concerned… That brother don’t need to be running up and down the court. He don’t need to be pushing the ball up and down the court. If you’re the Golden State Warriors, you need to push the ball up the floor. You need to unleash that arial assault that they could throw in your direction…We all know he’s been perpetually injured and we know the pace of play that the Golden State Warriors usually implement could serve as an impediment to the success they hope to have”
The Warriors have won their first two preseason games. Paul has played well when sharing the court with his new teammates. However, the veteran guard will need to remain healthy and prove that he can thrive within Kerr’s system.
Otherwise, the Warriors could be looking at the trade market before the February trade deadline passes.
