Paul honored by Houston in his return
In late June, Chris Paul made a declaration that a trade less than a month later would undo.
“I'll be in Houston,” Paul told the Houston Chronicle of the upcoming season. “I'm happy about that. I'm very happy about that. I'm good.”
At the time, Paul was dispelling reports that he had asked for a trade from the Rockets. Weeks later and about 450 miles north of Houston, Paul George actually did request a trade from the Thunder. That tipped the first domino, and eventually Paul landed in OKC. On Monday, he took the court at the Toyota Center for the first time since the trade.
Asked Sunday what his expectations were for his return, Paul shrugged off the question.
“Nothing,” he said after the Thunder's 120-92 win against the Warriors. “I might go check on my house that's up for sale. That's about it.”
But the Rockets had a welcome party planned.
During lineup announcements, the announcer paused dramatically before giving a little extra oomph to his “CP3” call. Paul received an ovation then, but it was just a precursor to the tribute video the Rockets played on the Jumbotron during the first timeout.
As the images of Paul in a Rockets jersey faded, the crowd erupted in applause. Paul stepped out of the Thunder huddle to wave to and acknowledge the fans who had been behind him for the previous two years.
Russell Westbrook's reunion with his former team has already eclipsed the storyline of Paul's Houston arrival. And rightfully so. Paul spent two years with the Rockets. But when the OKC dealt Westbrook to Houston in exchange for Paul and a package of draft picks, it marked the beginning of Westbrook's first season, in a 12-year NBA career, with a team other than the Thunder.
If it weren't for that, Paul's story would take up more of the spotlight.
In Paul's first year teaming up with James Harden on the Rockets, the team made it to the Western Conference Finals and won a staggering 65 regular season games. Last season,
Houston again won more than 50 games and extended its conference semifinal series against the Warriors to Game 6.
Schroder shines for Thunder
For the second night in a row, Dennis Schroder shone for the Thunder. He probed the Houston offense, got inside and scored with athletic finishes, threw passes behind him to get his young wings open shots.
The first 3-pointer he sank came as a revenge shot of sorts. The play before, Schroder had fouled Harden on a 3 and walked toward center court with his head tilted back in frustration. The Thunder's next possession, Schroder drained a 3-pointer over Harden.
Schroder finished the first half with 18 points, leading all scorers. He also recorded four assists before halftime. Thunder coach Billy Donovan left him in for 16 1/2 minutes in the first half, second only to Sh ai Gil geo us-Alexander (17:20).