Checking in with Chris Paul: Holiday Edition
December 22, 2006
Chris Paul has been shouldering a major load for the undermanned Hornets recently, playing the entire 48 minutes of a regulation game twice in December. In Friday’s overtime victory over Memphis, Paul came within 26 seconds of logging 48 minutes again and totaled 15 points and 14 assists.
Following the much-needed win vs. the Grizzlies, the Hornets’ star point guard chatted with Hornets.com about a range of issues, including providing his thoughts on the organization’s recent holiday party. CP3 also gave his “exclusive” prediction on the upcoming Orange Bowl, which features his beloved Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Louisville.
Eichenhofer: What has it been like for you physically to play the full 48 minutes twice already this month, and nearly play 48 vs. Memphis?
Paul: It doesn’t hurt me until the next morning. All day, your body is a little weary and you have some aches and pains, but as soon as they toss that ball up (for the opening tip of the next game), you forget about it.
Eichenhofer: Changing subjects, have you completed all of your Christmas shopping or are you still planning to hit the stores this weekend?
Paul: I’m done. I might have to pick up a couple more things, but other than that, I’m done. I don’t get to go home for Christmas because of our schedule, so (family members) won’t know whether I got something for them anyway. [grins]
Eichenhofer: You had a multitude of family members with you in New Orleans during the team’s recent two-game homestand there, partly to help assist you with some of the community events you hosted. What was that experience like for you?
Paul: There were about 60 people with me. My family, whenever they come to support me in anything, they always travel in packs. That’s what I love about them – they’re always there for me. That was the last time I get to see them for a while, and this will be the first time in 21 years of my life that I haven’t been home for Christmas.
Eichenhofer: Speaking of the holidays, how much did you enjoy the Hornets’ company holiday party earlier this month? It seemed like you were out on the dance floor most of the night. I didn’t know you had those kinds of skills in your game.
Paul: That was fun to get out there with our team, and guys got to show their personalities. That’s what I love about our team, that we’re very tight. Everyone has a lot of fun. This is a serious business of basketball, but at the same time, guys can have fun.
Eichenhofer: What about Byron Scott getting out there on the dance floor? I think people thought he was making some of the younger guys on the team look bad.
Paul: Yeah, he was. Coach does that, though. Coach came to my celebrity weekend in Winston-Salem and did the same thing. I think some coaches in the NBA, if they were put in that situation, would be very reserved and laidback, but Coach is a great guy. He’s fun, and guys enjoy being around him. He’s a human being, just like (the players).
Eichenhofer: Who was the best-dressed Hornets player at that party?
Paul: I’d say it was me. I win that every day. [grins]
Eichenhofer: Who was in the “needs improvement” category from a style standpoint?
Paul: Needs improvement? It was a battle between Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. They fought that one out. [laughs]
Eichenhofer: Among your teammates, dancing-wise, who needs the most help?
Paul: Marquinhos (Marcus Vinicius).
Eichenhofer: Finally, how about a prediction on the Orange Bowl, with Wake Forest facing Louisville?
Paul: I’m predicting Wake Forest, by 10 points.
Chris Paul has been shouldering a major load for the undermanned Hornets recently, playing the entire 48 minutes of a regulation game twice in December. In Friday’s overtime victory over Memphis, Paul came within 26 seconds of logging 48 minutes again and totaled 15 points and 14 assists.
Following the much-needed win vs. the Grizzlies, the Hornets’ star point guard chatted with Hornets.com about a range of issues, including providing his thoughts on the organization’s recent holiday party. CP3 also gave his “exclusive” prediction on the upcoming Orange Bowl, which features his beloved Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Louisville.
Eichenhofer: What has it been like for you physically to play the full 48 minutes twice already this month, and nearly play 48 vs. Memphis?
Paul: It doesn’t hurt me until the next morning. All day, your body is a little weary and you have some aches and pains, but as soon as they toss that ball up (for the opening tip of the next game), you forget about it.
Eichenhofer: Changing subjects, have you completed all of your Christmas shopping or are you still planning to hit the stores this weekend?
Paul: I’m done. I might have to pick up a couple more things, but other than that, I’m done. I don’t get to go home for Christmas because of our schedule, so (family members) won’t know whether I got something for them anyway. [grins]
Eichenhofer: You had a multitude of family members with you in New Orleans during the team’s recent two-game homestand there, partly to help assist you with some of the community events you hosted. What was that experience like for you?
Paul: There were about 60 people with me. My family, whenever they come to support me in anything, they always travel in packs. That’s what I love about them – they’re always there for me. That was the last time I get to see them for a while, and this will be the first time in 21 years of my life that I haven’t been home for Christmas.
Eichenhofer: Speaking of the holidays, how much did you enjoy the Hornets’ company holiday party earlier this month? It seemed like you were out on the dance floor most of the night. I didn’t know you had those kinds of skills in your game.
Paul: That was fun to get out there with our team, and guys got to show their personalities. That’s what I love about our team, that we’re very tight. Everyone has a lot of fun. This is a serious business of basketball, but at the same time, guys can have fun.
Eichenhofer: What about Byron Scott getting out there on the dance floor? I think people thought he was making some of the younger guys on the team look bad.
Paul: Yeah, he was. Coach does that, though. Coach came to my celebrity weekend in Winston-Salem and did the same thing. I think some coaches in the NBA, if they were put in that situation, would be very reserved and laidback, but Coach is a great guy. He’s fun, and guys enjoy being around him. He’s a human being, just like (the players).
Eichenhofer: Who was the best-dressed Hornets player at that party?
Paul: I’d say it was me. I win that every day. [grins]
Eichenhofer: Who was in the “needs improvement” category from a style standpoint?
Paul: Needs improvement? It was a battle between Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. They fought that one out. [laughs]
Eichenhofer: Among your teammates, dancing-wise, who needs the most help?
Paul: Marquinhos (Marcus Vinicius).
Eichenhofer: Finally, how about a prediction on the Orange Bowl, with Wake Forest facing Louisville?
Paul: I’m predicting Wake Forest, by 10 points.
