When it comes to Chris Paul’s role on the Warriors, there was never any debate. They always knew where he belonged.
The Warriors understand that Paul’s true value lies in leading the second unit, a role he embraced in their recent game against the Rockets.
After avoiding the topic for months, head coach Steve Kerr finally made it official. And his decision was validated by the Warriors’ 106-95 victory over Houston.
“He’s incredibly skilled at making his teammates better,” Kerr told reporters. “Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, he has a significant impact on the game.”
Paul spearheaded the second unit, consisting of Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Dario Sarić, and led them to a commanding 24-8 run in the second quarter. Even during a Houston surge in the fourth, Stephen Curry quickly regained control with four 3-pointers in under two minutes.
Paul finished the game with eight points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Additionally, he boasted the team’s best plus/minus rating of plus-22 during his 27 minutes on the court. Each member of the second unit also ended the game with a positive plus/minus rating.
“Did I enjoy it? Well, who really likes change?” Paul said about his first experience as a reserve in his 18-year NBA career. “It’s not about liking it or not. It’s new. I don’t hate it. The most important thing is that we won.”
Paul’s contributions in the first half helped bail out the starters. Curry had a quiet start, while Draymond Green, returning from a training camp absence, had a rough nine minutes with three turnovers and three fouls. Andrew Wiggins played 28 minutes and failed to grab a rebound. On the other hand, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney performed consistently well.
Curry was the last starter to be substituted. When he sat on the bench with 4:15 remaining in the quarter, the Warriors were trailing 18-15 and desperately needed points. By the time he returned with 7:42 left in the half, the second unit had built a 39-26 lead.
“Make no mistake about it, they were the superior unit tonight, largely due to my mismanagement of the first unit,” Green admitted. “But Chris is the main force behind their success. Replacing Steph Curry with Chris Paul is as good as it gets.”
In previous seasons, the Warriors struggled offensively when their second unit took the court. Leads often evaporated when Curry was benched. Finding a solution to the “non-Steph” minutes was a priority for the team in the offseason.
That’s where Chris Paul came in. Despite his history as a rival and being 38 years old, his $30 million salary, and occasional prickly demeanour, there was no denying that he was the best option to fill in for Curry.
In the first three games, Paul has been searching for his shot but has managed to rack up 28 assists with only five turnovers. While his current 5.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio may not be sustainable, the Warriors would gladly accept a 4-to-1 ratio. In his first game off the bench, a role he hadn’t played in his entire 18-year career spanning 1,365 games, Paul boasted a phenomenal 7-to-1 ratio.
“I’m still figuring it out,” Paul admitted about his new role. “It’s something new for me. But I’ll do whatever it takes to help our team win. Whether that means starting or coming off the bench.”
Paul was tasked with reducing turnovers and providing stability during the non-Steph minutes. So far, he has excelled in both areas.
Prior to this season, Kerr was content with playing the Curry-Green-Thompson trio around 35-37 minutes per game. However, he hopes to have enough bench support to limit their playing time to the low 30s, preferably no more than 32 minutes.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Kerr commented on his rotation. “Things could change.
“But I really liked what I saw tonight. Last year, our starting unit was the best in the league. We have the data and we’ve seen it with our own eyes. They know how to play together.”
Last season, the second unit often undermined the starters. With Chris Paul coming off the bench, that narrative is likely to change, even if it means sacrificing his record for the longest starting streak in NBA history.
“I’ve always been the same in terms of competitiveness and doing whatever it takes to help the team win,” Paul expressed. “Whether that means starting or coming off the bench, I know my strengths and what I can bring to the table. And with our team, it works. It allows us to have a bigger lineup.
“I’ve never been on a team with this kind of depth. I’ve been on some really good teams, but not ones where everyone is capable of starting.”
While eleven Warriors may possess the ability to start, league rules only permit five. This was Paul’s first experience outside the starting five, and it proved to be a win for the Warriors in every aspect.
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