Paul’s impact on Steph went beyond the court, showing him the discipline and preparation needed to become an NBA superstar.
Chris Paul has been a superb point guard since he got selected fifth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. He has been the ideal floor general in the league and is seen as the best player to study if one wants to be a top-tier point guard.
Even Stephen Curry, considered the greatest point guard of this generation, looked up to "CP3" and has spoken openly about Paul’s impact on his career.
"He was a great mentor when it came to understanding how a guy on his level prepared over the summer for an NBA season," Curry said in a 2018 Warriors practice. "How disciplined he was, his work ethic, and I got to see that firsthand after summer league through the beginning of the season. And obviously, we got a Carolina connection."
Paul is the optimal point guard role model
Whenever "CP3" is mentioned in modern basketball discourse, he does not receive the respect he deserves. NBA fans have become annoyed with him because of his strong personality and some of his decisions on the court. He’s a master at running offenses and is known for his ability to see plays before they develop, making him one of the most studied players by aspiring point guards.
Despite some perceptions about his style of play, guards who want to succeed should watch Paul's game film. His understanding of the game runs deep, especially in high-stakes situations. His strategic fouls, intelligent passes, and ability to analyze defenses all demonstrate a high level of basketball acumen
The former Wake Forest star is also a phenomenal pick-and-roll player. He loves to get screens from his big man and is a master of an alley-oop. Steph was more known for shooting early in his career, but watching Paul work has made many guards follow in his footsteps with his approach to playmaking and making rash decisions that could work out.
Paul has always been a good mentor for Steph
Since Chris is now an older player, he is observed as one of the most important players due to his knowledge of the team. Paul has always played a massive part in guiding Steph, who has become the top choice for the point guard position.
"I just told him to be aggressive, as aggressive as possible… I told him when you watch, learn different things. The best thing you can do coming in as a rookie is to watch. Watch basketball. When your team's not playing, watch another team play because that's how you learn," Paul said about his leadership qualities.
Curry has Paul in his corner, which is a monumental mentorship because of their previous matchups against each other. Nowadays, CP3 remains a distant memory, but if Steph says Paul helped him, it is challenging to combat that.
