Chris Paul is ready to share the floor with Draymond Green.
The 12-time All-Star, who was once known as a sworn enemy by Golden State fans, was traded to the Warriors in June in a move that will put him in a lineup with rival turned teammate Draymond Green.
The pair is well known for more than their skills: They’re also on-court talkers and Paul sees that as a reason for worry — if you are the opposition.
“Yeah, Draymond is uhh … I feel sorry for the other teams that’s got to play against both of us. Because he’s always been very vocal, as I am. I’ve always thrived with guys like that,” Paul told reporters.
He’s battled Green plenty throughout the years during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, which ended when he was a part of the trade that sent Bradley Beal from the Wizards to the Suns.
The Wizards quickly flipped Paul to the Warriors in exchange for Jordan Poole, who was at the center of the team’s disharmony this past season after Green punched him in the face during a preseason practice.
Among Paul’s adjustments — aside from playing with the volatile Green — he’ll have to get on board with the Warriors style instilled by Golden State coach Steve Kerr and his staff.
“I think when you compete against a team for so long and so hard that you have to have some type of appreciation for them, and the way that they play and the way that they share the ball and the selflessness of all the different guys on the team,” Paul said.
Paul is also looking forward to is playing with Stephen Curry, a player who he’s had many battles with over the years.
“I’m excited to team up with Steph,” Paul said. “We got all this stuff that’s connected to each other, and I think through sports sometimes you just compete so crazy. So I’m excited about playing alongside of him.”
Adding Paul to the Warriors adds another veteran to an already seasoned group, but if the team needed any more competitive edge, the 38-year-old guard certainly will bring that on a nightly basis.
