Chris Paul is back with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the reunion brings back memories from his first run with the team. But what’s surprising is how strong his bond is still with his old teammate, JJ Redick, who is now the Los Angeles Lakers coach, who was once his biggest rival. The two used to clash hard on the court. Now, as Redick has moved on to coaching, Paul says they’re still close friends.
How Did Chris Paul Bond With JJ Redick After a Fiery Rivalry at College?
Chris Paul rejoined the Clippers on July 21, 2025, signing a one-year, $3.6 million deal for the 2025–26 season. He first played for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, alongside Redick, helping them become one of the NBA’s top teams during the “Lob City” era.
But Paul and Redick didn’t get along before they were teammates. Their rivalry started back in college. Redick played for Duke from 2002 to 2006, while Paul was at Wake Forest from 2003 to 2005. The two schools were only about 90 minutes apart, and their battles in the ACC were heated.
Things worsened in the summer of 2004 at the Jordan Brand Camp in Santa Barbara, California. Both were counselors there, and during a scrimmage, tempers flared. Redick got so angry that he actually hit Paul. That’s how intense their rivalry was.
Years later, when Redick joined the Clippers in 2013, fans wondered if the two could ever work together. But the tension started to fade even before the season began. Redick said the ice between them broke after their first phone call as teammates. He later admitted, “We didn’t like each other because we were both so damn competitive.”
Redick and Paul Have Come a Long Way
Now, their relationship is nothing like it was in college. Paul told Joey Linn, LA Clippers’ writer, that his old teammates still keep in touch. “Man it’s dope. It’s really dope. I’m sure BG – well I hope BG get out to a game or something this year.
“DJ, we still talk all the time. Even tho JJ coach the Lakers I still talk to him all the time. A lot of guys. Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford, all us are still well connected. So it’s really dope to still have that bond with them guys.”
Paul said he often talks to Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Redick, showing that the friendships built during the “Lob City” years are still strong. Redick has even called Paul the best player he has ever played with. After retiring, Redick asked Paul for advice when he started coaching.
In 2013, Paul told Yahoo! Sports, “We have actually had a chance to become real close, real quick. Who would have thought after the battles we had in college.”
Paul Is Excited About His Second Stint With the Clippers
Now, as Paul starts his 21st NBA season — his seventh team in a long career– he’s happy to be back with the Clippers, the team where he made his most significant impact. Before he joined in 2011, the Clippers had never been a steady winner. With Paul, they became one of the most exciting teams in the league, winning more than 50 games five times and reaching the playoffs yearly.
Paul has said he’s excited to play with big man Ivica Zubac and help the team build a strong rotation again. But more than that, his return reminds fans of how far he’s come — from fighting rivals in college to keeping lifelong friends in the NBA.
Even with Redick now coaching the Lakers, their friendship proves something simple: respect lasts longer than rivalry.
