As Chris Paul has been rightfully criticized for his performances this season, Tyronn Lue made it clear he hears the outside noise by benching him, from start to finish, for the first time last night. The Clippers still lost to the Phoenix Suns, 114-103, yet Paul, off the court, sitting next to an injured Kawhi Leonard, clapping and high-fiving his teammates as they checked in and out, was a decision from Lue that should have happened earlier.
Paul’s efficiency has had a more detrimental impact than his points, as he is averaging 2.3 per night but has a true-shooting percentage of 35.