Paul has joined! Can the luxurious Clippers succeed? To be honest, I stopped believing in Harden a long time ago!

The 40-year-old 12-time All-Star guard Chris Paul has agreed to join the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his 21st season in the league upon returning to the Clippers, which will also be his final season.

The agreement is a one-year contract worth $3.6 million.

From different angles, the view changes; heights and distances vary.

Regarding this matter, different perspectives will lead to different narratives.

So before I start writing, I pondered: should I discuss nostalgia or write about reality?

With Paul joining the Clippers, these are the two main directions to explore, so let's talk about both.

In this moment, how many people's youth has returned? And how many are reminiscing about their younger days?

Speaking of nostalgia, the old captain is coming home.

During his tenure with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, Paul, as the leader of "Lob City," averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, ranking first in franchise assists, second in steals, fifth in three-pointers, and fifth in scoring, along with five All-Star selections, five All-NBA Team selections, and three steals titles.

Frank referred to him as "one of the most influential players in franchise history," and given the Clippers' humble beginnings, the president's statement holds truth.

Whether it’s the glory of Lob City or Paul's personal highlights, they evoke countless memories of youth.

The most representative scene: I still remember when Chris Paul, not yet the veteran he is now, hit a game-winning shot against the defending champion Spurs in Game 7 of the playoffs in 2015; it feels like a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.

Speaking of nostalgia, the duo of Paul and Harden is teaming up again.

They once raised the banner against the Warriors in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs, becoming an unfulfilled dream in many people's hearts.

Now reunited, it feels like reopening a dusty novel of youthful heartbreak from seven years ago.

In the fragments of memory, there are 0-for-27 three-pointers, Paul unable to play in a do-or-die game due to injury, and Harden's eyes filled with confusion...

Whether it’s Paul joining or the reunion of the "Beard and the Captain," the story is filled with one word: regret.

In their respective phases, they both failed to achieve their goals.

In 2025, during Paul's final season, they have come together again. From the fans' simple nostalgia, there is a strong hope that the Clippers will win the championship next season.

If they succeed, the Clippers will fulfill their dream, Paul will fulfill his dream, Harden will fulfill his dream, and the "Anyang Paul" sitting next to me, now quite round in the belly, will also fulfill his dream!

What a joyous occasion this would be, a narrative that could save the league's ratings!

If that day comes, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone shouts: Long live the great American guards...

But...

You will find that nostalgia is quite cheap, especially in the world of competitive sports.

The term peak itself is filled with regret; after the peak comes the decline, and they will lose game after game, replaced by more impactful newcomers.

If nostalgia were useful, Harden and Paul would have won championships long ago.

Yet because of this, you and I in front of the screen both dislike the cruelty of competitive sports while also loving it.

What did that lyric say again?

“The adult world is not like a fairy tale,princes and princesses rarely have happy endings. It’s not just about being brave and kind; there won’t always be a fairy to grant wishes.”

So, back to the real world: Can the Clippers, who have once again claimed the offseason championship, succeed?

Starting lineup: Harden, Beal, Kawhi, Collins, Zubac

Bench: Paul, Bogdan, Batum, Jones, Lope

This roster looks quite luxurious.

But if luxury were enough, the Clippers would have won a championship long ago.

Don’t forget, Paul is 40, Lopez is 37, Batum is 37, Harden is 36, Leonard is 34, Bogdanovic is 33, Beal is 32, Dunn is 31, Zubac and Derrick Jones Jr. are 29...

In the past few days, I’ve seen many media analyses of the Clippers, whether praising or criticizing them, some are practically handing trophies to the Clippers.

I believe too many people are afraid to speak the truth to please the fans.

I must speak my mind; I write what I think.

I’m not optimistic about the Clippers, and the core reason is: I stopped believing in Harden a long time ago.

What’s the point of endlessly discussing the roster? What’s the significance of constantly criticizing Tyronn Lue...

The Beard is still the core of this ship, the engine. If he doesn’t perform, the Clippers are truly doomed. Do you think this team’s roster is weak?

By the way, this is an expression after accumulating enough disappointment.

How I long to be proven wrong...