Los Angeles Clippers seem to create more headlines for what happens outside the field rather than inside of it. In a season already defined by their performance inconsistencies, the franchise added another chapter to its ongoing turmoil by abruptly cuttingChris Paulin the middle of the night. After the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard ‘Aspiration” scandal, nobody thought another situation would eventually arise.
What was supposed to be Paul’s storybook farewell season instead became a stunning and highly publicized breakup. Now, the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer is making it clear exactly how he feels about the move.
A shocking release and a damning report
The Clippers, off to a disappinting 6-16 start, waived Paul less than one month into the season. The decision was already controversial, but reporting from Shams Charania added more fuel to the fire. He reported Paul was released because he was “vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable,” behavior the franchise considered as “disruptive.”
CP3 has chosen not to make a formal public statement yet, but his social media activity says more than any press conference could. Many fans are waiting for him to break silence and address the situation. However, despite not publishing anything on his accounts, he liked a post that criticized the franchise’s handling of his exit. The post read:
Dedicated half his career to a d**** franchise, returning for one final storybook retirement season, then at midnight a month into the season he’s ‘sent home’ as a 40-year-old in your 21st NBA season. The Clippers organization is truly criminal
He did not stop there. Even though we do not know it there was any hidden message intended, he posted a photo to his Instagram story showing himself laughing alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, his old “Lob City” mates.
The symbolism was unmistakable. The trio that once made the Clippers relevant was now seemingly laughing at the franchise that cannot get out of trouble on its own.
A franchise unraveling in real time
The Clippers’ decision to part ways with Paul may cause secondary effects throughout a locker room already in trouble. Both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden revealed that they were not aware of the move until the following morning. Another example of the team’s intentional miscommunication breakdown.
Meanwhile, the roster issues continue to pile up. Bradley Beal is out for the season with a fractured hip while Norman Powell is thriving in Miami, and the Clippers’ two remaining stars appear visibly frustrated. Not the best news for a team that should be competing to claim the status of ‘best in the city’.
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