“I couldn’t stand him!” Chris Paul admits HATING JJ Redick as college teammate before becoming fellow Clippers 

Chris Paul and JJ Redick were teammates on the Lob City Clippers, but they did not like each other before becoming teammates

“I couldn’t stand him!” Chris Paul admits HATING JJ Redick as college teammate before becoming fellow Clippers 

Chris Paul talks about hating JJ Reddick during college days, but joined up as teammates in the Clippers (image via YouTube & Twitter)

Chris Paul has been on a lot of teams throughout his NBA career. He had his most success during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. His exploits with the Clippers alongside his illustrious All-Star teammates have been written in history as the ‘Lob City’ era. But one teammate on that same team was not meant to play alongside Paul.

Paul was a guest on teammate Draymond Green‘s podcast, The Draymond Green Show hosted by Volume Sports. While speaking about opponents in the league, Draymond asked Paul’s opinion on players who could have a chance of teaming up with them. Paul said;

When I say I did not like JJ (Redick), I couldn't stand him!...... As soon as Doc Rivers said we had a chance to get JJ Redick... I said let's get him.
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Paul adds that he had a beef with JJ Redick during their college days. They got into fights often. But when then Clippers head coach Doc Rivers talked about getting Redick onto the Clippers, Paul did not hesitate.

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Paul mentions that despite their differences, he knew the competitive side of Redick very well. And that itself made his presence on the team valuable. Paul preferred having Redick’s competitive nature to boost the Clippers rather than let his ego be satisfied. Redick and Paul were suddenly good as teammates, something which has blossomed into a friendship that still stands the test of time.

Paul adds that he had the same presumptions before joining the Golden State Warriors. Paul and Green have battled on the court against each other for their entire careers. The same of course, was true for Stephen Curry and Paul, who have also clashed on the court before. So, when the former Suns’ star was informed that he would be traded to the Warriors, he knew that the shared desire to win would win over any beef they previously had.

Chris Paul and his beef with opponents

Chris Paul is one of the most competitive players in the league. Since he was drafted in 2005, Paul has been known to have a streak that can be contagious, both for the teammates as well as the opposition. His competitive edge has often rubbed many opponents the wrong way. For instance, his altercations with Rajon Rondo led to Rondo spitting on Paul. Then there was his issue with how former teammate James Harden was unprofessional.

Chris Paul and JJ Reddick played together on the Los Angeles Clippers despite not liking each other
Chris Paul and JJ Redick played together on the Los Angeles Clippers despite not liking each other (image via Open Source, X)

He also has a long-standing beef with journeyman instigator Patrick Beverley. Paul also has some much-publicized beef with referee Scott Foster. But most importantly, before joining the Warriors, both Green and Curry did not like Paul, and had never envisioned joining hands.

The aging Warriors have welcomed Paul’s competitiveness with open arms. Maybe, they needed his drive to push them to their next championship, something that seems unlikely, at least for the time being.

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