CP3-Clippers is ‘Rakim, Big Daddy Kane forming a super hip hop group,’ Lakers | FIRST THINGS FIRST

CP3-Clippers is ‘Rakim, Big Daddy Kane forming a super hip hop group,’ Lakers | FIRST THINGS FIRST

Welcome back to a fast break segment on First Things First. First up, news today. Breaking Chris Paul back in LA. He’s rejoining the Clippers. Been a bit of a journey since Lob City Brew. Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, and Spurs where he did play all 82 games. Here’s how his franchise uh ranks look now that he’s back with your Clippers. Sixth most points uh first in assist. That’s no surprise. Five all-star appearances. That’s tied for first. So, Brew, uh, do you like CP3 back in LA? There’s a rumor going around on the internet, social media, okay, that this is 1980s, early 90s rap icons, KRS1, Cool G Rap, I saw this actually. Rock Kim and Big Daddy Kane might form a super group. I was into, right? Super hip-hop group. That’s a great take. That’s what this is. That’s a great take. This team would have been phenomenal 10 years ago, right? Chris Paul, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Bill. Now, I mean, it’s, you know, I mean, they’re they’re second round ceiling, right? No chance of winning the championship. And it’s not the same. Chris was obviously great in his I’d say his best I don’t know about his best years cuz he had great years before that in New Orleans and stuff but and one great year I don’t know what team you associate Chris with. He’s been with so many but this is not the same as Dame going back to Portland. It doesn’t have that sentiment to it. No, but it’s also it’s also not the same because the Clippers are trying to win a championship. Yeah. And they just keep bring Yeah. Listen, playing all 82 is noteworthy. Um, and the seven assists a game is something. I don’t think he is a truly impactful player anymore. And I again, I have Chris Paul shockingly high in my all time. Fifth is that point guard rankings. I the You’re putting me on the spot right now. Who the we were when they got to the finals, everybody I mean I think fifth. I’m doing it off the top of my head, but Magic Steph Oscar Isaac. Yeah. So, that’s the point I was going to make was I I have him ahead of John Stockton. I ahead of Jason Kid. I I think Chris Paul’s an all-time legendary player and I think much like Isaiah, the numbers will never do it justice for what he was able to do. I know Isaiah’s got two championship. That winning percentage like that. Yeah. Every team they get better when he gets there. So all of that, but it is the the the same people in our profession every year, and that’s why I’m very happy that Brew is not buying into it, that tend to be like, you know who I think’s going to be dangerous. The Clippers love this move. They’re and they love the Bradley Beal signing. Bradley Beal at 50 million, no good. Bradley Beal at 5 million. when the fact of the matter is Bradley Beal is replacing Norm Powell who Norm Powell at this point I believe to be better than Bradley Beal but that’s neither here nor there. You also can’t do any math on the Clippers and be like if this is the year James Harden’s not James Harden in the playoffs when he’s not going to be. And you no longer can say what if Kawhai’s healthy cuz he was last year. He was healthy in the playoffs and he was fine. And so I don’t you can’t hate this move. It obviously doesn’t hurt them. it it’s a nice story and he is better than most teams ninth man you know what I mean so like for all that there’s nothing wrong with it but I don’t view this as a needle mover at all the only needle mover would be getting a young superstar for no what what KW I like the identity of the team oh that’s old school super group is the identity and I know no one’s going to like it on paper but once the old super group is out there. There’s going to be a little like I like this a lot. They’re going to be good. Chris Paul hits that little mid-range floater brew. Oo. Wait, wait. So, what am I? They’re going to be good like the super hip hop super group would be. Oh, that’s hot. Yeah, they still got it, but it wouldn’t probably wouldn’t. I just want people to remember Chris was asked kind of not the exact same but kind of to play this role for the Warriors. Yeah. Like two years ago. That was kind of an odd fit from the getgo. Well, he’s going to clearly be the the backup point guard. And my point is and that team lost in the playin to the Kings. Like I just and that was two years ago. And so Chris is the second huge impact with the Spurs. I just again I think he is one of the 25 greatest players ever like thereabouts like maybe I say that maybe too flippantly one of the 30 greatest players ever and the fifth greatest point guard ever and it’s shocking he’s still able to play but at his size and his age. Are you saying championship legitimate championship contender? No. Uh but I like that’s all I’m not saying. I say a second round ceiling. I think they’ll be good, but I can’t count on Kawawaii and his Kawhai is probably not what he used to be. And I definitely feel like I can’t count on Harden in the playoffs. Aren’t there teams that you look at that you don’t know? They don’t have an identity like the Suns. What What are the Yeah, well, they’re better than the Suns. I’m just But I like the identity. Okay, that’s fine. Veteran super What’s Russ up to? Well, speaking of, I would have liked Marcus Smart here, too. He’s too young for him. Uh Marcus Smart to the Lakers, two years, $11 million. Luca reportedly involved in the recruitment. Here’s how Marcus has done since leaving the Celtics. 54 games, 11 points. You know, not too many rebounds or assists, but he gets a steal. He can still play good defense. The problem is he’s only played in 33% of all possible games. Do you expect Marcus Smart to make an impact for LA? No. This is one of the burdens of being Mr. Consistency. I’m not gonna just because he’s a Laker all of a sudden be like, you know what, always liked Marcus Smart because I haven’t right. And now listen, Marcus Smart with the Celtics. Yeah. While maybe a maybe a little too much leadership, you know what I mean? Like where, you know what I mean? Too strong of a personality. He was good there, but it was also important for them to move on from him. It kind of allowed, I think, Tatum and Brown to take over the team. He is a guy that because of his toughness and style has aged much faster than he otherwise would have. You know what I mean? He’s taken so many hits, so many charges, so many falls that he is an old 31. And so I do people are like the, you know, he won defensive player of the year a few years ago. That player is long gone. Do I think you might be able to get, you know, in the playoffs 16 good minutes out of him? I think that’s got to be the hope. You know what I mean? Hit a hit hit some open threes, which you know, he’s always been right. But he he’s been passable and if we are if we keep your usage down low and for your first time since being traded from Boston, you’re in a real championship aspiration organization. do we get the best out of you? So, I don’t dislike it, but I just think he is I think he is a the oldest 31y old in the league. And I just because and I because of how tough he’s played and how hard he’s played forever. Yeah. Look, his LA his problem his last few years he hadn’t stayed healthy. Yeah. He’s only played 54 games last two years, but when he’s played, he’s been darn near the same level of not not effectiveness because he’s not the same defender, but he’s been okay offensively in terms of scoring points, you know, running Washington. He shot well, but it was very Yeah. I I just think his problem is health, and that’s related to the age and the wear and tear. But if he’s healthy, I think he can be effective for him. He’s not the defender he used to be, but he can for them especially cuz they don’t have great perimeter defenders. He can help. And if he’s healthy, I think it helps. Now, I think Denver, OKC, Houston, Minnesota are still ahead of them, but I think this gets them a tad bit closer. Uh, we’re in prime. Ben Simmons jump shot on your phone season. Celtics, Knicks, Suns, Kings, all interested in Ben, who has been playing few goose eggs here, but he did play 51 games last year between uh Nets and Clippers. What are the chances Ben Sibs contributes to a contender? Anyone? Just slightly a scooch above zero. Okay. And the only reason it’s not zero is because you never say never. I’ll say never. I will say never. This is KW’s guy. Well, as always, man. I I root for him, too. But can I say something about that? I’m going to give you I’m going to give you a a trick. I’m going to trick you guys, but go ahead. No, you go. Go. Can he give you He’s 6’10”, remember? Can he give you 19 minutes, six points, five rebounds, and a and a half a steel? No. going to give you playoffs. No, the question was playoff contender. No, it doesn’t. Contributes to a contender. The No, I My answer is no. Why? Who gave it to you? Luke Cornette. Yeah, you love Luke Cornet. L Cornet is good. But that’s what I’m saying. Hey, you can do some Luke Cornet. You don’t cuz you don’t look at Luke Cornet like, “Hey man, why aren’t you shooting more?” Like, I’m going to set picks and and get some rebounds and play some. That’s what he did for the Clippers last year. Yeah. And he ended up playing eight minutes a game in the playoffs. Well, that wasn’t less than a point. I thought they misused him. No, you did. But can I say this is my thing. I know we have to go. You’re like, you root for him. Got it. We all root for But see, so this is where I’m going to disagree. 65 and seven with the Nets. If I if you were to power rank all 450 players in the league. Yeah. of who you root for most to least. I would argue you’re gonna you can’t root for if you root for everyone, you root for no one. And so I don’t know what he’s done for players outside. I don’t know what he’s done to earn your rooting. I feel like he’s been maligned much to his own doing. Well, he’s got he’s paid the he’s paid the price. Okay. I think here here’s where the challenge with Ben is he’ll send out these little videos like I’m ready. Wait till next year. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music]

Chris Broussard explains how Chris Paul returning to the LA Clippers is “KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Rakim, and Big Daddy Kane forming a super hip hop group.” Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes chime in, then discuss whether Marcus Smart will make a big impact for the Los Angeles Lakers and share the odds of Ben Simmons contributing to a contending team.

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CP3-Clippers is ‘Rakim, Big Daddy Kane forming a super hip hop group,’ Lakers | FIRST THINGS FIRST
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