Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins retracts flopping comment about Chris Paul – NBA Update
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers are locked in a thrilling battle; their first round tie in the Western Conference playoffs. The series is at 3 – 2 to the Clippers and emotions are running high. It was during one such emotional interview
that Memphis coach Lionel Hollins branded Los Angeles star Chris Paul a flopper.
The tactician has now retracted those comments, and offered an olive branch to Paul, whom he called a great player. Hollins said he got carried away during the interview and held Chris in the highest regard. He reworded his claims, saying Paul wasn’t a flopper
but rather good at drawing fouls.
"Flopping was the wrong word to use," Hollins said. "At that moment, I couldn't think of a better word. It was a first-quarter interview on national TV, but I retract that word. But he's good at drawing fouls and putting you in a position where he'll get
you behind him and see you. He'll stop and make you run into him. Chris is just a great player."
Chris Paul has been phenomenal in the series so far and a key reason why the Clippers are leading. Chris was brought in by the Clippers at the start of the season at great expense because they knew he was a genuine super star who could make a difference
in big game situations.
Paul certainly has lived up to expectations and showed great maturity so far in the playoffs, something that reflected in his reaction to Hollins comments. Paul branded the whole episode a non issue.
"I don't care what he's talking about," Paul said. "He's got a team over there he has to worry about."
When pressed by reporters on the question of flopping, or whether it was used by Los Angeles as a ploy to mess with the Grizzlies, who have a physical style of play, the point guard responded in the negative. He was more concerned with winning games.
"I don't know and I could care less," Paul said. "We don't go out there with the objective or game plan to get in their heads. We want to win the game."
Paul is listed day to day currently following a groin strain in game-5 of the series. Fellow star Blake Griffin is also uncertain of a place in the team for game-6 because of a knee issue.
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