Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

CP3 'not dwelling' on G4 woes, says hand 'good'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Friday, 16 July 2021 20:14

PHOENIX -- After coming up small in what would have been the biggest win of his career, missing out on taking a 3-1 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals, Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul went to the tape.

Just like Paul and teammate Devin Booker reviewed the film from Game 3, finding cracks in the Bucks' defense that Booker could exploit as his scoring output ballooned from 10 points in Game 3 to 42 in Game 4, the backcourt mates watched the fourth quarter from Wednesday's 109-103 loss almost immediately after the game was over to find ways for Paul to improve.

There's seemingly nowhere for Paul to go but up after he finished with 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting and five turnovers, matching the amount of miscues that Milwaukee had as a team.

While Paul's disappointment of going back home tied at 2-2 rather than being one win away from the first championship of his 16-year career goes without saying, Suns coach Monty Williams said he hasn't noticed any change in his demeanor.

"I just seeing Chris being Chris," Williams said after practice Friday. "He's always intentional about everything. He's focused. I find myself struggling when I can't help him. That's what we've talked about the last couple of days. But Chris is fine. He's focused. He's always about winning."

The Suns went 2-0 at home to start the Finals and Paul shined, averaging 27.5 points and 9.5 assists. When the series moved to Milwaukee, Paul's game went south, putting up 14.5 points and eight assists in Games 3 and 4.

"The conversations are all about basketball right now. We know what's in front of us," Williams said. "You know Chris Paul, I mean, everybody in here has seen him. There's not a person in our locker room that's not expecting him to not come out and play really well the next game. ... His focus is at a high, high level right now."

Paul looked so off in Game 4 that some wondered if the partially torn ligaments in his right hand, which he suffered in the conference finals, had flared up.

"No, I'm good," Paul assured, when asked about the hand on Friday.

Williams backed up Paul's claim of a clean bill of health.

"Yeah, he's fine," Williams said. "Other than having to deal with me, he's good."

While two of Paul's turnovers helped fuel a 17-8 run by the Bucks in the final four minutes -- after the Suns led for 38 of the 44 minutes preceding that -- Paul said the benefit of playing for as long as he has is being able to move forward, be it coming off an inspiring win or a crushing loss.

"It's something I don't dwell on. Even though it may be an anomaly, it happens. I turned the ball over hella times before," Paul said. "End of the day, we got to win the game. Me turning the ball over is not giving us enough shots at the basket. I'll figure it out."

Williams dismissed Paul's Game 4 struggles, calling them merely "a blip" on the radar in an otherwise surefire Hall of Fame career.

Paul said it's only right that the Finals would be hard, considering all the heartbreak he dealt with on the court in 16 years to get here.

"I hate it, but it's that simple," Paul said. "We didn't sweep but one series, so this is what happens in a series. That's why they make it seven games. This is the Finals. It's dramatic. We got to protect home court and win the game tomorrow."

Read 319 times

Soccer

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are aiming to get back "to the top of domestic an...

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA Namibian journalist criticised by Florentino Pérez for failing to...

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona will close a section behind the goal at the Olympic Stadi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter his Denver Nuggets "got embarrassed" in a 145-118 blowout los...

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- In his first game since helping the Celtics win the NBA c...

Baseball

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Rays have until Sunday to declare whether they want t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated