Stephen A. Smith Says This Is ‘Last Chance’ To Win For 1 NBA Superstar

Over the last 15 years or so, Chris Paul has been regarded as one of the best, if not the best pure point guard in the NBA, and his ability to score, set others up, and run an offense will make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his career ends.

But he has also been on the bad side of fortune come playoff time, as he has suffered some heartbreaking defeats late in the playoffs, not to mention some ill-timed postseason injuries.

Paul was traded to the Golden State Warriors this summer, where he will team up with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in an attempt to extend their championship window.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith says this season will be Paul’s last chance to earn a Larry O’Brien Trophy.

.@stephenasmith believes this is CP3’s last chance at a title.

“If he can’t do it now, he ain’t gonna get it done.” pic.twitter.com/2BuppEmCry

— First Take (@FirstTake) October 4, 2023

Paul spent his first six seasons with the New Orleans Hornets, who were never a true championship contender, but when he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, many expected him to end up with a ring.

In his six years with the Clippers, the team had one of the NBA’s more talented rosters, but it never reached the Western Conference Finals, and he was sent packing to the Houston Rockets in 2017.

The 2017-18 season looked like his best shot at winning it all, as the Rockets took a 3-2 lead over the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, only to lose Paul for the rest of the series due to a hamstring injury.

The Rockets ended up losing the series, as the Warriors wrapped up their third world title in four seasons.

In 2021, Paul’s Phoenix Suns reached the NBA Finals, but after winning the first two games, they lost the next four to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.

The guard’s offensive production has declined over the last year or two, and thus he appears to be in the tail end of his career, which could indeed make this season his last shot at winning a championship.

NEXT: 
Damian Lillard Explains Why He Missed Practice Wednesday