USA - Paul looks to add NBA ring to Olympic gold

LOS ANGELES (NBA) – After reaching the Western Conference Semi-finals last May, the Los Angeles Clippers have carried that momentum into the 2012-13 NBA season as they look to establish themselves as a top calibre team for years to come.

In adding proven veterans Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes and France international Ronny Turiaf in the off-season, the Clippers addressed their need for experienced players as they boast one of the deepest rosters in the league.

How far the Clippers go though still hinges on the play of Chris Paul, their All-Star guard and two-time Olympic champion.

Now in his second season in LA, 'CP3' is the pillar for a team that is not only looking to get out of the shadow of cross-town rivals LA Lakers but also challenge for league supremacy.

Following a summer in which he helped the USA to a second consecutive gold medal at the London Games, Paul is looking to experience that same winning feeling in the NBA.

Now in his eighth season, the 1.83m guard has amassed the individual awards and accolades but is still chasing after his first championship ring.

Having been humbled by the more experienced San Antonio Spurs in the 2012 playoffs, Paul is expecting to do better this season, as the franchise has the most talent ever.

With rising stars Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and the pair of NBA champions Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler at his side, Paul and the Clippers are stronger than ever and appear to be one of the legitimate title contenders.

FIBA.com caught up with Paul to talk about the season so far and reflect on his Olympics experience.

FIBA.com: How do you feel about your start to the season?
Paul: I think that our start to the season has been interesting. We’re winning games and the team is improving day after day. We have more experience than last season, so our game is getting better. But we still have lot of work to do to reach our best level. We’re working hard each day to be the best team we can be. Personally, I feel good and I try to do my best for the team as usual. I’m confident about the fact that we are going to have a great season.

FIBA.com: The Clippers have one of the deepest rosters in the league but still have to work Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill into the rotation when they come back from injuries. Can you talk about what they bring to the team?
Paul: We have a very talented team with a great mix of young players and veterans. Our roster is very solid. We can’t wait to have Chauncey and Grant back. They're two of the most experienced players in the league. They will help us a lot on the court, but even if they’ve been dealing with injuries until now, they’ve been very important to the team on another level. They give advice, talk to the players and try to use their experience for the team, and more especially to the younger players. It’s great to have them on the team.

FIBA.com: What about Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan? Are they where they need to be for the Clippers to be a championship calibre team?
Paul: Blake and DeAndre are very talented. They're probably two of the most athletic players in the league. They're still very young players and need to improve some aspects of their game, but they’ve been working hard. I’m sure they're the kind of players that a team needs to fight for the title. A lot of teams are jealous of us having them.

FIBA.com: What are your expectations for the Clippers this season? Do you think that the team is a title contender?
Paul: Our team can do very good things. But it’s still too early to talk about the playoffs. We have a very talented team, but we still have to work to reach our highest level. For example, we’ve been losing too many away games this season so far, so we need to improve how we play on the road.

FIBA.com: You won your second Olympic gold medal this past summer in London. What did you take away from that experience compared to Beijing in 2008?
Paul: It was a very interesting experience, for sure. We had a great time in Europe, and playing in London was great. All the preparation around the continent was great. We worked hard and had the opportunity to see a lot of different places. Beijing will always remain in my mind because it was where I won my first Olympic gold medal, but London was very special too. The competition was very tough, but we won the gold medal again. I’m so happy and proud to have two Olympic gold medals.

FIBA