ROCKETS MAN
SI:
Your first season with the Rockets, and you had the best record in the NBA. How did you and James Harden made things work so fast?
CP:
Communication. We talk about everything, the good and the bad. That's what's been amazing, not only with me and him, but with Trevor Ariza, or our coaching staff, with P.J. Tucker. Good or bad, we put it on the table.
SI:
You've been active in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Why is giving back to your community so important?
CP:
That's what my late grandfather was all about. Something my family taught me at an early age was giving back and helping others. The very first thing I did after getting drafted was refurbish a court in my hometown in memory of my grandfather. I always say if I'm remembered by the lobs that I threw or the crossovers I did, that means I didn't do enough.
SI:
You're commissioner for a day. What rule would you change?
CP:
We'd lower the goals. Yeah, yeah, so I could dunk a lot more.
SI:
I was listening to "Mixtape," and Young Thug says, "I'm ballin' on you like I'm Chris Paul." What's your reaction?
CP:
It's real cool, especially the music that you listen to, whether it's Drake, Wayne, Jay, all that stuff. My son, he'll be like, "Daddy, they said you!"
SI:
You're on the last year of your contract. Have you thought about the future?
CP:
Not at all. I'm so focused on now. Everybody knows I want to be here.
SI:
If you retired today, you'd be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time. Why is it still so important for you to win a championship?
CP:
Anybody who knows me can probably explain better than I can. I'm just competitive. I don't care what it is, I want to win. It's that simple.