Chris Paul chokes up after Victor Wembanyama and Spurs players' tribute on monumental achievement
When all is said and done, Chris Paul is going into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The impact of his greatness has been felt across several teams, and his current ball club made sure to express their appreciation for the Point God.
After Sunday night's game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans—the same game in which Paul climbed to number two on the list of all-time assist leaders—the Spurs organization handed him a special plaque to memorialize his historic achievement.
Paul got emotional as he acknowledged his team's gesture.
"I'm so grateful. To be away from my family, y'all became my family."
Chris Paul: Playing chess on the hardcourt for nearly 20 years
The young stallions of San Antonio are fortunate to rub shoulders with CP3 as he nears the end of his illustrious NBA career. Prior to his current stint with the Spurs, Paul elevated the game of his teammates in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Golden State.
As one of the league's all-time best floor generals, Paul thrives on next-level court vision and IQ. Clearly, the 12-time All-Star sees the game differently than just about everyone else. Here's how Paul described the sport through the lens of a 20-year veteran:
"I sort of look at it like chess, with all the moving parts. I always say my job is the easy part: to find guys that gotta make their shots. It's fun, it's fun."
For all the eye-popping, physics-defying passes that Paul has dished out in his career, he achieved Sunday night's milestone with the simplest of plays.
As Paul looked to inbound the ball from the sideline, he saw Harrison Barnes giving a down screen for Victor Wembanyama. With the sweet-shooting big man wide open from beyond the arc, Paul dished the ball to Wemby, who sank the three-pointer to give Paul his 12,092nd career assist.
After the game, Paul became candid with his appreciation for Wemby and the rest of the Spurs organization.
"I know I'm a lot to deal with on the court, but I just love to hoop. I hope y'all get this opportunity to play as long as I have. So, thank you so much."
Paul, of course, has not been the most beloved teammate in the history of the NBA. On Sunday night, though, the Spurs made sure that his unparalleled work in the assists category would be duly recognized.