Chris Paul’s drive is obvious, easily recognizable, like the way the future Hall of Famer will politick with an official in a preseason game. Then, there are more subtle signs, like an emoji.
In the past week, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has been interviewed by numerous publications as he promotes his new book "Shut Up and Listen." Inevitably during the press circuit, the Rockets come up as the Russell Westbrook-for-Paul swap transformed two franchises.
Amid those interviews are bread crumbs left by Fertitta about the rocky ending to the relationship between Paul and James Harden.
"James and Russ go back a long ways in California, so they can talk to each other like brothers, you know, instead of one (player) thinking that he’s the mentor," Fertitta told The Athletic.