Daily Tribune (Philippines)

SUNS EYE CROWN

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PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) -- Chris Paul has waited 16 seasons to finally reach the National Basketball Associatio­n (NBA) Finals and finds himself focused on winning a long-sought title while trying his best to enjoy the moment.

The 36-year-old playmaker has sparked the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals since 1993, a best-of-seven showdown that opens Tuesday against visiting Milwaukee.

“Just enjoying the process and all the different moments of it, but ready to go,” Paul said Monday.

“I’m usually on the phone with my kids, seeing what they got going on, and just getting ready, practicing, body work, all that stuff. I’m focused.”

Paul, an 11-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic champion, averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game for the Suns after arriving in a trade from Oklahoma City last November.

It was a virtuoso performanc­e by an NBA maestro whose lack of a title and journeyman status over the past five years aroused plenty of doubters, part of why he writes “Can’t give up now,” on his shoes before every game.

He has found the finals unusual but largely because he can’t watch NBA games on television. “It’s weird no games being on,” Paul said.

“I usually watch games every day, so that’s probably the part that sucks the most. But I would rather be playing than not.”

“It’s different -- but it’s still basketball. We’re all locked into the goal at hand.”

Phoenix guard Devin Booker is among those who watches games differentl­y and learns more from it thanks to Paul.

“It’s just a whole other level of basketball and film study when you’re with Chris,” Booker said.

“He’s always locked in.”

“You’re not watching it for entertainm­ent anymore. You’re scouting the whole time you’re watching.”

Booker is watching Paul as well and not seeing any impact from reaching his first NBA Finals.

“I’m sure he might be feeling a different way in this first appearance, but he’s not going to show us no frantic movement or any nervousnes­s,” Booker said.

“He’s prepared for this and it’s more of an ‘I’ve been waiting this long, preparing for this moment right here, and it’s right in front of us.’

“He’s not walking a different way. He’s not talking different way. But there’s an understand­ing between all of us on what time it is and what we have to accomplish.”

Only one player on either team has played in an NBA Finals before. Phoenix’s Jae Crowder played last year fo Miami, which lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. He knows how much Paul hungers for a title after so many years in th league without one.

“I’m happy to be part of it with him to help write hi story,” Crowder said.

“Chris deserves it. He’s my brother and I’m going to giv him everything I’ve got and have his back.”

“I think we’re going to get the ring and put up a goo fight.”

Suns coach Monty Williams is reluctant to compare th reality of the NBA Finals to what he imagined it would b like while he’s still aiming at a higher goal.

“That’s hard. I don’t think you ever want to get there, Williams said.

“As a head coach I don’t have time to do all of that. I’m just focused on the things necessary to get wins. I can’ stop and think about my feelings.”

“There’s a level of gratitude to be in this position, bu you move on from that and start to strategize and figur out ways to maximize the moment.”

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