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Chris Paul is having a great run in the NBA playoffs, where, at 35, he’s been sensational. Honestly we didn’t think he could sustain this level of play at that age but he’s certainly done it, including a tremendous Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals.
But Paul has always had a chippy, unpleasant side too as ACC fans will remember. He infamously hit NC State’s Julius Hodge in the ol’ fruit basket, for which the conference suspended him, and if you look up Chris Paul and dirty plays, you’ll find a collection of cheap shots aimed at the testicles of rivals.
And in this video, you’ll see that this supremely competitive player, who can be magnificent, also likes to give the other guys as much hell as possible.
So you’ll see him mocking opponents, telling the refs that there’s an untucked jersey and giving Stephen Curry’s shimmy right back to him.
A big part of any sport is psychological warfare and clearly, Paul is as good at is as anyone.