Los Angeles Roundup: Paul Comfortable With Clippers Exit; Lue Denies Rift, Lakers Near Full Health
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Veteran guard Chris Paul said he is “at peace” with the Los Angeles Clippers’ decision to move on from him and is eager to find his next NBA role. Speaking to People Magazine, Paul told the publication he is “excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next.”
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue rejected reports suggesting he and Paul were no longer on speaking terms before the 12-time All-Star was dismissed from team activities. “That ain’t true,” Lue said, per beat writer Joey Linn. “How is he going to play if I’m not talking to him?” Lue added that although there was a period when Paul faced a potential benching, he personally had “no problem with Chris,” and several Clippers players are unhappy about the decision.
Lakers Injury Updates
Marcus Smart is off the injury report for the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Cup matchup with the Spurs on Wednesday. The guard missed the past six games due to a back issue but said the back “felt good in practice” and plans to “give it a shot” against San Antonio, according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.
Los Angeles may be at full strength for that game. Forward Maxi Kleber (lumbar muscle strain) is the only player listed as questionable, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein reported.
LeBron Finding Form at 40
LeBron James poured in a season-high 29 points in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, including 10 consecutive in the fourth quarter. “At 40 years old, it just takes a while for my body to kind of get back into a rhythm,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “It felt good Sunday to kind of feel like myself a little bit.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
