Five-time NBA All-Star Reggie Miller believes the San Antonio Spurs fell short in their championship pursuit because they lacked the bench depth and veteran leadership that the New York Knicks possessed. Miller also thinks the outcome might have been different if former Spurs star Chris Paul had been on the roster.
Reggie Miller Reveals How Chris Paul Could Have Changed Spurs’ Title Fate
Before the NBA trade deadline, Paul was traded to the Toronto Raptors, but the team released him shortly afterward. He remained unsigned for the rest of the season, which ultimately brought his illustrious NBA career to a close.
Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Monday, Miller said the Spurs would have benefited from adding Paul as a veteran presence during their Finals run.
“I wish that they would have picked up Chris Paul, just as an insurance vet on that bench for moments like the finals,” Miller said. “Because there are certain things that went down in the finals if Chris Paul had been at the end of that bench. If you had Chris Paul at the end of that bench as a point guard, I think that would have helped De’Aaron Fox, that would have helped Stephon Castle.
“To me, Dylan Harper was the most consistent Spurs player in that series in those five games, when we got all the attention. I just think Chris Paul would have helped again. I’m just talking. This is why vets matter, youth got the best of the Spurs.
Reggie Miller says he wishes the Spurs signed Chris Paul to help them:
“I wish that they would’ve picked up Chris Paul just as an insurance vet on that bench. I think that would’ve helped De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle. I just think Chris Paul would’ve helped.”
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Paul’s on-court production declined this season, but his leadership and basketball IQ could have been valuable assets for a young Spurs roster during the postseason. San Antonio repeatedly found itself in winning positions against the New York Knicks but suffered costly late-game mistakes, and Paul’s experience might have helped them avoid those mistakes.
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson previously praised Paul’s influence on younger teammates, saying the veteran guard understands basketball “at a different level.” Paul also served as a mentor to Victor Wembanyama and even bold said that the French star would make people “question everything you’ve ever learned about the game.”
That same mentorship could have extended to Fox, Harper, and Castle, potentially making Paul highly impactful even without a major role on the court. Paul’s experience may have also benefited the coaching staff, especially as head coach Mitch Johnson faced criticism for several late-game decisions during the Finals run.
Paul suited up for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Spurs throughout his career. However, he clearly had an emotional attachment to the Spurs.
“It’s so dope ’cause the Spurs gave me this last year, my best organization I played for,” Paul said during TheTyLilShow livestream.
In his lengthy career, Paul earned 12 All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA honors.
