The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, and a former player had nothing but good things to say about the franchise.
The San Antonio Spurs have a reputation and culture to uphold. Legends like Manu Ginobili, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan all grew up outside of Texas, but they continue to reside in San Antonio.
While the Miami Heat herald themselves as the “hardest working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, meanest, nastiest team in the NBA," the Spurs, who are even more successful, make "family" and a sense of community front and center.
The "Spurs Culture" understands that life is bigger than basketball, and even players who spent only a brief time with the Silver and Black appreciate it.
Chris Paul Praises San Antonio Spurs
Chris Paul spent one season with the Spurs, and it is better known as one of San Antonio's greatest rivals. Of course, his short tenure in San Antonio last season was a resounding success, as he helped guide and mentor the young core.
Paul passed Jason Kidd for second all-time in assists last season, and the Spurs have him a plaque to commemorate the milestone.
That plaque, which features the name of every player Paul ever assisted, hangs proudly in his house, and he recently showed it off.
"The Spurs gave this to me last year," said Paul to YouTuber Tylil. "They were my best organization I played for."
"Best organization?" Paul only played 82 games with the Silver and Black, but it clearly left a mark.
He got his career started with the New Orleans Hornets, reached his greatest individual highs with the Los Angeles Clippers, made the Finals with the Phoenix Suns, revitalized his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and also spent time with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.
It's hard to imagine that one past-his-prime season with the Spurs meant so much, but after being unceremoniously dismissed and cut from the Clippers during his farewell season, it makes sense that he would hold the Spurs in high regard.
When San Antonio was pursuing him in free agency, Gregg Popovich promised that Paul would be the starting point guard. Even as Stephon Castle broke out and the Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox, the organization kept that promise, and Paul started all 82 games.
Paul was a longtime rival of the Spurs and grew to respect them as opponents. As he laced them up for the Spurs near the end of his career, it's clear that both the legendary team and legendary player wanted to do right by one another.
The gesture, it seems, is still greatly appreciated.