Let’s just get one thing out of the way. We were rooting for the L.A. Clippers to win the Western Conference series, but after all the injuries, fouls, and the Patrick Beverly push heard around the world, the victory just wasn’t in the cards for the team. But, there’s still a reason to celebrate. Chris Paul, an offspring of the Clippers had an incredible night. The Phoenix Suns defeated the L.A. Clippers in Game 6 with a final score of 130-103.
Paul, 36, would lead the Suns making 41 points with 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Devin Booker, 24, who Paul calls the light skin No. 1 guy with an old soul, scored 22 points in Game 6. The Suns won 4 of the 6 games in the series. Paul and Booker’s performances broke a 10-season playoff drought and helped the franchise to advance to its first NBA Finals since 1993.
In his 16-year career, Paul has never made a NBA Finals appearance despite playing for the New Orleans Hornets, L.A. Clippers, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. For a moment people discounted Paul saying his career was on a decline because of his age. Now, the point guard is considered the oldest player in NBA postseason history to make it to the NBA Finals beating out Michael Jordan’s previous record.
“Since day one, they welcomed me with open arms,” Paul said about the Phoenix Suns. “16 years of surgeries, hard work, losses — bad losses — but we’re going to enjoy tonight.”
Paul also referenced the gospel duo Mary Mary and their inspiring song “Can’t Give Up Now” saying that he wrote the phrase on his playing shoes as motivation the day he was traded. The song’s famous lyrics speak of the journey that people so often don’t appreciate and holding on to hope in the most weary of times.
“I just can’t give up now
I’ve come too far from where
I started from
Nobody told me
The road would be easy
And I don’t believe He’s brought me this far
To leave me
Never said there wouldn’t be trials
Never said I wouldn’t fall
Never said that everything would go
The way I want it to go
But when my back is against the wall
And I feel all hope is gone
I’ll just lift my head up to the sky
And say help me to be strong.”
The Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks will play Game 5 on Thursday with the Eastern Conference series tied at 2-2. Whoever wins the conference will advance to the NBA Finals to compete against the Phoenix Suns.
