DeAndre Jordan breaks his silence on Chris Paul’s retirement

The NBA world saw one of the greatest players in history hang up his sneakers last weekend when Chris Paul officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. From his hot start with the New Orleans Hornets to his final season with the San Antonio Spurs, the guard who soon became known as “CP3” finished his NBA career as arguably the greatest point guard of all time.

Chris Paul spent six full seasons with the LA Clippers franchise, from being traded to Los Angeles in 2011 until being traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2017 offseason.

Of the 249 teammates Chris Paul shared the floor with during his 20-year NBA career, no one played more games with Paul than the former Clippers All-Star center DeAndre Jordan. The duo played a combined 406 regular season games in addition to 53 playoff games. The duo had a .658 winning percentage, going 302-157 in those 459 games together.

That Paul announced his retirement in the middle of All-Star weekend was somewhat of a surprise, given that the guard was looking for a team to play for and close out his NBA career. But no team materialized and Paul decided to call him.

DeAndre Jordan took to Instagram on Friday, a few weeks after his former teammate’s official retirement announcement, to deliver a heartfelt message.

“I can’t believe I’m doing a retirement post for your old ass! I still remember when we found out we were getting CP3 and the Lob City race was born. It still feels like yesterday. Some of the best years of my life.”

First I want to congratulate you on an amazing basketball career! You’ve won countless accolades and done a lot for the game. However, the greatest achievement I have seen from you is your love and dedication to your family.

Thank you for ALWAYS pushing me even when I wasn’t trying to hear it. 😂 You were a teammate then and became a brother forever and I’m grateful.

Enjoy this next chapter of life and journey. Here are more pairs and birdies! Cheers

– 6″

DeAndre Jordan was a full-time starter for the Clippers when Chris Paul arrived, but under head coach Doc Rivers, he became a 34-minute player for the Clippers starting in the 2013-14 season. Since the 2023-14 season in which he played alongside CP3, Jordan averaged 11.8 points, 14 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game while being named to his first NBA All-Star team in 2016-17. Jordan was also a two-time rebounding champion, a three-time All-NBA selection and a two-time All-Defensive team selection.

Chris Paul finished his NBA career playing 1,370 regular season games, averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. Paul ends his illustrious 20-year NBA career as a 12-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA member, nine-time All-Defensive Team member, six-time steals champion and five-time assists champion.