When Russell Westbrook was traded for Chris Paul, Sam Presti remarked that he was delighted—all things considered—that fans would get to witness another Hall of Fame point guard suiting up in Thunder blue. That optimism was met with cynicism in most corners (including here), on the assumption that the already-declining Paul was less than thrilled to move to a small market non-contender. The Oklahoma City fanbase, it was also assumed, would be slow to move beyond a cold appreciation for one of the team’s all-time foes. Paul hadn’t just been a frequent opponent, but a petulant one, and his irritability was cited as one of the reasons his union with James Harden in Houston came to an abrupt end.
Chris Paul: MVP of the Thunder
