Chris Paul , the star floor general who started the " Lob City " era, is returning to his home, the Los Angeles Clippers , for his 20th and potentially final NBA season.
However, Paul is joining a different Clippers team that's nothing like the high-flying, exciting, and explosive Lob City he ran as the team's starting point guard, alongside athletic big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan .
Today, that Lob City-style of play is no longer the norm. The Clippers are now led by 2017 MVP James Harden , NBA champions Kawhi Leonard and Brook Lopez , three-time All-Star Bradley Beal , and veterans Nicolas Batum and Ivica Zubac .
As expected, the 40-year-old CP3 will be taking on a reserve role. Nevertheless, there's no better feeling for Paul than being back home, even if it has changed drastically over the years during his absence.
" Crazy how time flies ," Paul said . " But it's great to be back at home with the family and back with the Clippers ."
Paul joined the Clippers in 2011. As an exceptional playmaker and natural leader, he was the team's missing piece. Paul's mastery of the pick-and-roll and elite passing allowed Griffin and Jordan to shine. Be it through an off-the-backboard dish, classic alley-oop, or an outlet pass – two bigs converted Paul's assists with flair and created unforgettable highlights out of their poor defenders.
"That's Lob City right there ," Paul said, reminiscing the highlights. " There were some great years, great times ."
However, the Lob City era will be tainted by its playoff disappointments, as the Clippers never exceeded the second round.
Eventually, Lob City collapsed. Injuries and locker room issues harmed team chemistry. And Paul left for the Houston Rockets in 2017, officially ending an era he still fondly remembers today.
"It's crazy when you think about the games and you see that athleticism and excitement every single day. I miss it ," Paul continued.
Paul made a name for himself in his six-year stint in L.A., earning five All-Star selections and being named to five All-NBA teams and six All-Defensive Teams.
Since leaving the team, Paul played for five teams, making his only career finals appearance in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns . He's improved with age, but his final season with the San Antonio Spurs tells us that Father Time is catching up. In 2024-2025, where he started in all 82 games, he registered 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game for the Spurs.
With a talented backcourt, the Clippers expect the veteran point guard to lead the second unit, a role he's ready to embrace.
" My role on this team is obviously different than it's been the past 20 years being in the NB A," he said in an interview with The Athletic in July. " But showing up every day, if I can show some of the guys what it looks like every day to clock in and clock out, I'm excited for it ."
CP3's game is timeless, and the Clippers will surely benefit from it. Their roster has the offensive firepower of Leonard, Harden, and Beal, as well as the veteran talent and championship experience of Lopez. A deep run in the West is possible, especially with Paul's addition.
Now, back in his no. 3 jersey, Paul will try to cap his potential final season with a ring – something he never got to do with the Lob City Clippers. Maybe this year, luck will be on his side.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
