Chris Paul says he is remaining focused as Phoenix Suns close in on a place in the NBA Finals.
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The 36-year-old does not want to get carried away ahead of what could be the biggest achievement of his career so far, and was critical of his own performance after failing to remain composed at some key moments after an 84-80 win over the LA Clippers.
“Not until the job is done. Not until the job is done,” Paul said. “We can talk about all that then, but right now, it’s just laser focus.
“Three wins don’t win the series, so right now, we did what we came here to do. We wanted to get one of these, and now we got to stay focused and be ready to go back to our crowd.”
Paul explained that he thought about his son during the game, lamenting his own lack of calmness that he has stressed as being so important.
“I was mad I missed them [midrange shots] that could have put us up by five or seven, but it’s so crazy when I went to the free throw line I thought about my son.
“I talk to my son all the time about the importance of shooting free throws.
“I seriously went to the free throw line and I was like, ‘How the hell I’m going to tell him to stay poised if I don’t do it my damn self?'”
Paul also insists he’s not dwelling on the disappointment of 2018, when injury derailed his progress for the Houston Rackets in the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “Don’t dwell on things, you always remember, but I’m here now, excited about this opportunity, and all I can worry about right now is Game 5.”
It would appear Paul’s son is learning from his dad just fine, with his younger team-mates clearly in awe of him and learning a huge amount from playing alongside him.
Deandre Ayton, who notched up an impressive haul of 19 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in Game 4, heaped praise onto Paul, calling him the best thing that’s happened for his career.
“I love CP, man,” said Ayton, 22. “That’s really the only teammate that really pushed me. Like big bro-type push.
“I think he was the best thing that happened to my career. I can say that every day.”
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