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"I didn't want to see it end like this" - Tyronn Lue breaks his silence about Chris Paul's firing
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- "I didn't want to see it end like this" - Tyronn Lue breaks his silence about Chris Paul's firing
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue addressed the media for the first time since the Clippers fired Chris Paul late Tuesday night.
Speaking to reporters before the Clippers' road game against the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena, Lue said that Paul's ouster from the team had nothing to do with the team's current struggles. Instead, it's about how CP3 and the Clippers were not a good match.
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"I don't think it necessarily helps our team. I don't think the reason why we're 5-16 is because of CP's play," Lue said. "I just think that it wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for, and it is what it is."
Lue said he does not want CP to go out like this
It can be recalled that after playing 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, Chris Paul signed a one-year minimum contract to return to the Clippers last July. Paul and Blake Griffin were the architects of "Lob City", which was the franchise's most successful era from 2011-12 to 2016-17. With his career winding down, Paul wanted to play close to his family and, at the same time, finish his career in the city where he found the most success.
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Two weeks ago, Paul announced that he would be retiring after the current season. And just last week, the Clippers' social media accounts posted a tribute video where it said, " CP3 will end his career at home. " Well, they made that happen, but not in the manner that everyone expected, even Lue.
"Do I want to see CP go out like this?" he added. "No, I have a lot of respect for him. He's been a friend of mine over the years, and you never want to see a great go out like this. But I'm pretty sure he will find something because he's a great player. I didn't want to see it end like this."
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Lue and Paul were not on speaking terms
Earlier in the day, Shams Charania reported that the Clippers felt Paul had become disruptive after he was vocal in criticizing management, the coaches, and his teammates for their disappointing start. This discord reportedly left Paul and Lue in a cold war, where they did not speak to each other for weeks.
Chris Haynes also stated that Paul attempted to reach out to Lue by requesting a one-on-one meeting, but the Clippers' head coach refused to grant him that venue. And that's when the general manager, Lawrence Frank, traveled to Atlanta, where the team was supposed to play next, to deliver the news personally to Paul.
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Paul announced it on social media early Tuesday morning, and Frank responded with a statement confirming the reports, then released another one on Wednesday. It remains to be seen what happens to CP3 next, although most believe that he has played his last NBA game and his career has ended unceremoniously at the hands of the team he once put on the basketball map.
Related: "Absolutely despicable" - NBA world reacts to Clippers parting ways with Chris Paul
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
