Paul joining the Warriors is a double-edged sword: this is the last chance to win the championship New crisis hidden in the locker room?

This article was compiled from: CBS Sports

Written by Bill Reiter

原标题：Why the Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors marriage gives both sides a last best chance to return to NBA Finals

Chris Paul will be part of the Golden State Warriors, which is a huge shift, and for the 38-year-old point guard, this is almost his last chance to win the championship.

Aside from the championship, Paul did everything a best-in-time point guard should do. There is no doubt that he is a Hall of Famer-caliber player, the problem is that as long as he has not won the championship, that "but" will always be with him, just as it was with Carl Malone and Charles Barkley.

Considering that Paul's contract for the 2024-25 season is not guaranteed, the 2023-24 season can be seen as the point guard's last resort. Frankly, Paul is both respectable and disgusting, and many teams want him, but the team that gets him seems to think at some point that he is the problem within the team.

Paul's joining the Warriors makes everyone a winner

On the surface, Paul fits into the warrior's system. Sources said that everyone involved in the transaction actually has a chance to be a winner. Paul is expected to storm the championship, the Wizards get Poole, the player better suited to their rebuild, and after Poole and Dreams clash, leaving the Warriors is the best option, and the Warriors are freed from Poole's big contract.

Some NBA executives believe that turning Poole into Paul is a clear upgrade for the Warriors, at least for the coming year. Paul's ball handling skills and world-class basketball IQ can reduce the pressure on Curry, increase offensive firepower, make Thompson's life easier, and his own shooting ability is no problem.

In short, Paul is a fantastic player and his age is not too much of an obstacle. Because he doesn't need to be the leader of this team, and the Warriors will manage his playing time intelligently, allowing Paul and his teammates to go to the playoffs with healthy bodies.

Paul's character, the new crisis for the Warriors?

However, there are still some concerns about Paul joining the Warriors. Not Paul's age, not Paul's injury, but his character.

The Warriors' success has always been rooted in their locker room, with excellent chemistry, and the joy and success on and off the court are matched, and last year, after the conflict between Chase and Poole broke out, the Warriors' locker room chemistry was severely damaged with real consequences.

Paul is a very confident and egotistical player. He can be difficult to get along with. According to some team sources, Paul often comes across as condescending, an attitude that can be irritating as the season goes on. If the team is in win mode, everything is fine, but if the team is losing, the conflict between teammates is easy to intensify.

Don't forget what a dream chaser is. If the dream stays, will he and Paul be able to get along? There are already American media P pictures ridicule, will Chasing Dreams also give Paul a punch?

Also, could Paul adjust himself to the culture of the warriors? Can he accept any role that Cole gives him? If Paul can cherish this championship opportunity and keep the Warriors locker room stable, he may be able to achieve his dream. But if Paul doesn't stay healthy or get along easily, the Warriors may continue to face pressure and everything will come to naught.

Paul's career evaluation is likely to be rewritten by playing for the Warriors this time. A super point guard with a ring, or someone who can never count on him?