July 8, 2020 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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Page 3 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Wednesday, July 8, 2020 ‘Definition of a leader’: How Thunder guard Chris Paul has guided Players Association through turbulent times By Joe Mussatto, The spite living in Los Angeles, vantage, even if it means tat- it’s honestly amazing.” “He’s all about basketball, puter, in another Zoom Oklahoman Paul knew other D.C. law- tletaling about an untucked Thunder coach Billy and he’s all about competi- meeting about how to best Chris Paul and Michele yers. jersey. Donovan rattled off Paul’s tion.” bring basketball back. Roberts joke that they be- “T couldn’t figure it out,” “Going up against Chris That’s another thing Rob- responsibilities as if he was “T know Chris wants to gin and end their days with Roberts said. “How does Paul, you have to put your- erts quickly learned. this guy know people in my self in a different mental checking boxes on an infi- win,” Roberts said. “He Zoom calls, but it’s too close The competitiveness Paul to the truth to be all that fun- circle?” space because this guy’s nite to-do list. carries onto the court with wants to win for the game, ny. Roberts laughs about it gonna do whatever it takes “T’ve never been around thousands watching is the he wants to win for us, but The chain of communica- now, realizing how exten- to win,” three-time NBA a guy who can handle all same he brings when the he is definitely going to be tion is dizzying. sive Paul’s list of contacts is. champion Andre Iguodala that, and still has not even there to do what’s in the best spotlight is off, when the Roberts will be on a call “In the last few months said. “You gotta be ready remotely lost his passion interest of the players so that only light on Paul comes with Paul, who’s on a call we’ve gotten closer,” Rob- to have your guard up at with a league executive, erts said. “I count him as all times. For us to put that for playing,” Donovan said. from the glow of his com- ‘we can come out on top.” who’s on a call with Disney, one of my favorite people on aside, he can call me at any who’s on a call with who the planet. And not because time and I’m answering knows who in the NBA. he’s making my life easier, Better water for better living. the phone like, “What you Roberts, executive direc- though God knows he is, tor of the National Basket- need?’ He knows I have his SALES ¢ SERVICE ¢ RENTALS but because his concern and ball Players Association, back because I know he has * Water Softeners * Salt Delivery & Filter Changes commitment to this game, the players’ best interest.” © Reverse Osmosis Systems —_* Free Water Analysis (580) 323-2041 Wau could give your poole can’t think of a day since to his brothers, is extraordi- Iguodala, while with the mid-March when she and (800) 310-6336 Culligan Water Warriors, battled Paul’s Paul, president of the NBPA, Roberts sometimes feels Clippers and Rockets as they didn’t talk. guilty when she has to call tried to unseat Golden State culligan.com “Oh, God,” Roberts said Paul. from the Western Confer- Friday night at the end of another long week, “he'll Guiding the Player Asso- ence throne. never get rid of me.” ciation isn’t exactly his day But Paul and Iguodala 11022S. Main «580-225-7222 job. He’s a dad, he’s active have been teammates since That streak ofcalls started in several social causes, he’s 2013 on the NBPA executive from Chesapeake Energy 5 Hi friends! | am a male German Arena on March 11, when producing yet another docu- committee. Iguodala, now with the Heat, serves as first Shorthair Pointer mis about 1 years old. it became known that Jazz mentary, and yes, he runs am so excited to meet my new family! center Rudy Gobert had test- point for the Thunder and re- vice president. They’re on calls for hours at a time with Will you consider sharing your home ed positive for the coronavi- mains one of the top players each other. with me? rus. Roberts, who planned in the NBA, “T won’t name any names, “We may not agree on to watch the Thunder-Jazz If | am not the pet for you, please game that night, was running but there have been other something,” Iguodala said, consider one of my friends! marquee players that have “but we’re all unified.” late on her way home from Some might question if a the office when Paul reached been on the executive com- her. In the four months since, mittee,” Roberts said. “They haven’t come close, they future hall of famer is work- ing in the best interests of DJs Rentals the Thunder point guard haven’t come close to pro- players buried on the end of bs S.Main St, Elk City 580-225-1400 viding and demonstrating the bench, but Iguodala said has been the most influen- Paul always falls back on tial player in the NBA. The 2 & Military a level of commitment and the same mantra: “How can voices of 450 players have time that Chris has. we amplify every player’s been funneled through Paul, In that way, Paul’s leader- ———< ship characteristics mirror voice?” who has worked behind the “He’s the definition of scenes on leading his union his playing style. a leader, man,” said Griz- members through a pandem- He’s a distributor and zlies forward and NBPA ic, return-to-play negotia- playmaker. Paul is the NBA’s active secretary-treasurer Anthony tions and nationwide racial Tolliver. “I don’t think there justice movements, leader in assists, and seventh could be a better combina- Those in regular contact all time behind John Stock- tion of leadership and su- with Paul - including Rob- ton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, perstardom and work ethic erts, members of the NBPA Mark Jackson, Magic John- when it comes to leading this executive committee and son and Oscar Robertson. Paul regularly dishes the union. Oklahoma City teammates “Whoever comes next is and coaches - have marveled rock in meetings. definitely going to have pret- at the job he’s done. “Tf there’s been a presen- ty big shoes to fill.” Saturday 7AM shat “T don’t know that any tation, Chris says ‘OK, what Shai Gilgeous-Alexan- 5K Dam Run for Fun other player would have do y’all think?’ If there’s a der doesn’t have to scroll Check in Starts at 6:15AM been as committed to this minute of silence, it’s like a through Twitter to get his Meet at Foss State Park Office role as Chris Paul has been,” lecture in law school when pening for Fun at 1PM NBA news. Roberts said. the professor calls on a stu- “We can just go to Chris Lights Out at 11PM *)ate 40AM Kayak “Trail Ride Paul was elected president dent,” Roberts said. “So and and get what they’re re- K Saturday:: Opening for Fun at 8AM > - Chinaberry” é of the Players Association in so, what do you think? That’s Lights Out at 11PM ally talking about and what f Meet at 9:30 Finn i August 2013 after his sec- how he engages everybody they’re really focusing on,” ond season with the Los An- in the decision process, but the young Thunder guard Opening Ceremony Honoring 10:30AM « Main Stage + Ages 0-12 geles Clippers. Roberts, who at the end of the day, that’s said. “So it’s kind of like a earned her law degree from why you like having him on of Veterans 6PM FOSS LAKE LITTLE ¢ little cheat code, I guess.” Cal-Berkeley and worked your team.” Altus AFB Color Guards “| KING & QUEEN CONTEST ; Thunder players have ~ as a partner at a prestigious It beats having him against stayed in touch over the Colonel Tom Ivester, Speaker Washington, D.C., firm, was you. The same players Paul break through weekly Zoom hired to represent the players has been advocating for - to calls. All 17 players are back a year later. make life safe and worth- in Oklahoma City for indi- Roberts was a fan of Paul’s while in the Disney bubble vidual workouts, but they game, but she didn’t know - are some of the same op- won't be together as a team what it would be like to work ponents Paul has no doubt until they fly to Orlando be- with the perennial All-Star. annoyed through his 15-year Music fore training camp begins 6:30 Main Stage FREE CONCERT She quickly became aware career, Thursday. Friday 8-11PM Northwest Passage Band of Paul’s reputation as Paul He’s a pest on the court, The Thunder’s surprise Main Stage became aware of hers. De- and uses every rule to his ad- season has been fueled \ Dusk - Lighted Boat Parade by Paul. The 35-year-old, rElkCituNews Followed by Fireworks Show named an All-Star for the first time since 2016, is av- SPONSORS eraging 17.7 points and 6.8 Gold - Beck Trucking + First National Bank - Elk City and Sayre USPS # 173-020 assists per game. ., Silver - AEPIPSO +Washita State Bank+ Culver Electric » Elk City RV Sales and Service * Copper Cove Marina © 580-225-3000 He leads the NBA in InterBank + Vintage Tackle & Tires - Canute * Great Plains Bank+ Holiday Inn Express- Clinton + Ace Hardware Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC clutch-time points, which 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 only makes sense given his Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 down-to-the-wire negotiat- Equipment - MCG Equipment; Troy Jones Equipment Rental & Sales; Elk City RV Sales & Service; Stall TLC Rentals; S & K Rentals & Trash Hauling; 28 Rentals; Hutchinson Oil; CK Energy Co-op; Hutton, Inc.; POSTMASTER: Send adress changes to 109 W. 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