Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul is now considering playing with U.S.A. basketball for the 2016 Olympics, according to ESPN.com.
After playing with Team U.S.A. during the 2008 and 2012 games, Paul was strongly thinking about staying off the team in 2016. However, when he heard coach Mike Kryzyewski would be returning, he started to lean in the other direction.
"If it had been another coach than Coach K, I was prepared to be done," said the Clippers point guard.
Paul, who is perennially in the conversation for best point guard in the league, will be one of the veteran point guards on the 2016 team at age 31. (He is currently 28.) Young point guards such as Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry will also play for Team U.S.A. in the 2016 Olympics.
Paul spent last week running his CP3 All-Stars summer league program. He recently came back to the U.S. after a trip to China with teammate Blake Griffin and New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Paul acknowledged he and Griffin were not always in sync last season and the trip gave them a chance to discuss the issues.
"We talked about everything," Paul said. "We talked more than we ever have. As we get more familiar with one another, we get more comfortable. Last year we had our moments, but we're both very competitive and just want to win."
The Clippers have made quite a bit of moves this offseason. They were headlined by the acquisition of coach Doc Rivers. The team also traded for sharpshooter J.J. Redick and forward Jared Dudley. Paul was especially thrilled about guard Reggie Bullock—the Clippers first round draft pick out of UNC. Bullock played in Paul’s AAU program.
Paul explained the addition of Rivers doesn’t mean instant success.
"Having Doc isn't going to automatically translate to wins, but it will certainly help give us a better chance to win games," he said. "We control our own destiny, but there are so many factors. We've got to stay healthy."
The team finished first in the Pacific Division last season with a record of 56-26. However, they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the fifth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
