'Gratitude': After Making History, Chris Paul's Impact on Spurs Clearer Than Ever

San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul has left his mark on the seventh NBA franchise he's played for in his career. Making history Sunday didn't prove that, but certainly spotlighted it.

Nov 4, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reacts during the second half at Intuit Dome. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

SAN ANTONIO — Charles Paul is what you'd call an "emoji type of person."

It's a little thing. He uses small circular avatars to add emotion to his text messages, but while it isn't one his major characteristics, it's something that makes his texts discernible for his son, Chris.

And the night before his big day — when Chris was set to become the No. 2 on the NBA's all-time assist leaderboard — he received a welcome message from his father.

"We'll be there 🏀😊," Charles wrote.

"Sure enough," Chris Paul said following the San Antonio Spurs' 121-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday evening, when he officially passed Jason Kidd with 12,092 assists, "they were there."

Signing a one-year, $11 million deal with the budding Spurs over the offseason was the latest career move Paul had made, marking the seventh franchise he's suited up for over 20 years. Upon arriving, the point guard made clear he was looking for nothing more than to hoop.

He wasn't arriving as a coach, nor a "locker room" guy. Rather, he wanted to be an impactful basketball player.

"I only have one goal," Paul said during his introductory press conference. "That's to win. I don't care if it's practice ... (or) a shooting contest. I don't think you should play anything if you're just doing it for s**** and giggles."

READ MORE: Chris Paul Understands Expectations, Knows What He Wants with Spurs

That mindset had followed Paul from when he was a 16-year old with two years of junior varsity basketball experience all the way to when he was drafted No. 4 overall by the New Orleans Hornets.

It stayed with him when he left for the LA Clippers, then the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and the Spurs, too.

Paul was never in it for moral victories, yet still without a ring, he remained humble receiving the plaque San Antonio presented to him for passing Jason Kidd in total assists, who he already joined as the third player in NBA history with over 12,000 assists.

"It just means I've played a long time," the 39-year-old said. "I'm grateful to still be here. I think everything happens for a reason."

Maybe it does. Maybe that's why Victor Wembanyama — who had missed two straight games and two straight 3-point attempts Sunday — made his first 3 on the pass that gave Paul the honor.

"I didn't realize it in the moment," the 20-year-old Spurs star said, "but before, coming into the game, I was like: 'I've got to be on that.'"

Dec 8, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) and center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

It's also why Charles wouldn't have missed the game for the world, even with his grandson playing in Los Angeles the night before — a contest he also attended.

If everything happens for a reason, then Sunday night, right down to the embrace Paul shared with his family after the final buzzer, went perfectly.

"There's been different points in my career where I'm sure I've been written off," Paul said postgame, reflecting on his career. "I want to say a big thank you to my family. I know how blessed I am. I thank God for the family I have.

"Those are the people who (have) picked me up every time I've fallen."

Through five hand surgeries and seven franchises, they were there. But in his 20th season, it was a different group who had Paul's back. Moving to San Antonio for one season meant the point guard would be away from Los Angeles and away from his immediate family.

So, Paul inherited a new one.

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Addressing the 14 other players dressed in baby blue in the Spurs' home locker room that night, Paul almost cried.

After he'd made history, it was them who presented him with a basketball and plaque, both of which had the names of all 134 players he'd ever assisted, and Mitch Johnson who gave the remarks.

"We've all watched and admired you on this long journey," the Spurs' acting coach began, "and we've all been privileged this year to experience it up close. It's been a hell of a journey."

Dec 8, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) moves into second place on the all-time assist leaders list in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

However the game turned out, the celebration might have looked the same. But as Paul and Wembanyama pointed out, it didn't feel the same.

The reason?

"He got it with a f***ing win," Johnson exclaimed before Paul was drenched with several bottles of Saratoga water.

READ MORE: Paul Passes Jason Kidd for NBA's No. 2 All-Time Assister

For the first time in several seasons, the Spurs had a true leader. Not a coach, per se, but a role model.

"Unc," as they called him.

"As a teammate, it's just incredible how he doesn't just do things halfway," Wembanyama said. "He's actually trying to win, trying to find solutions. I think it's a really unique thing; a trait that you find in all these players ... that stick around for years and years."

The 20-year-old wasn't the only one to feel that way.

"It gives us a good balance," Tre Jones said of adding Paul over the offseason. "We're not just fully young anymore ... but we're also not too old."

"You can feel the change and the development," Jeremy Sochan added. "Individually, and as a team. You can definitely feel it. It's a growth mindset. Everyone in this organization wants to grow."

Dec 8, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) and San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

And as much as Johnson has had to say about the veteran during his time as the acting skipper, it was Gregg Popovich who laid the foundation for the kind of impact Paul was going to have.

He might have "despised" him, but he wasn't one to doubt him.

"I can’t even quantify how important that’ll be for all the young players," Popovich said on Media Day in October. "These guys, for the most part, haven’t really had that. Even Victor, obviously he’s super talented, but he needs that also. Chris and Harrison Barnes both provide that."

READ MORE: Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Set to Join Forces

However it's spun, Paul's impact is hard to ignore. He won't be the first to admit it, but he knows it.

For that, he had one simple word: Gratitude.

Gratitude for how long he's been able to play, and for a new franchise — the "first-class" Spurs — now rooting for him instead of against him.

"San Antonio has been nothing short of amazing," Paul said. "The fans have been amazing, the staff, the team. You hear all of these stories about San Antonio, the Spurs, and how they're a first-class organization. To get an opportunity to experience and witness it, just gratitude."

Dec 8, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) is recognized after moving into second place on the all-time assist leaders list in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

But Chris Paul's job isn't done yet.

In the time he's been with San Antonio, it's already begun to turn around. Suddenly, the Spurs perform well in third quarters, don't give up leads easily and have maintained a competitive record in the West with a roster largely the same as one year ago.

"The teams he's done it on, the way he's done it," Johnson said. "His presence on the court ... it's one of a kind. We are witnessing greatness. To be able to experience it firsthand is a privilege."

From Day 1, Paul expressed his excitement to learn from the younger Spurs — especially from a talent like Wembanyama, who has already climbed up the list of assist-ees for the veteran.

"I've had the opportunity to be a part of a lot of great players' journeys," Paul explained. "To be here with Vic, to be connected to him in that way, it's been pretty cool."

The feeling was mutual.

"(This is) the first time witnessing such a big milestone for any player," Wembanyama said. "In some years, I'm going to look back at it and say: 'Oh yeah, I was the 12,000th-or-whatever assist.' It's going to age like a good wine."

𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. pic.twitter.com/tTHm0TPXSj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 10, 2024

When Paul began his journey in the NBA, one of his first times playing in Utah gave him pause.

As he looked up in the rafters, his eyes saw a milestone his mind couldn't comprehend reaching at the time: John Stockton, the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals.

"It's kind of crazy," Paul admitted two days before he'd become his runner-up.

The moment might not have sunk in at the time, but when Sunday rolled around, Paul certainly marveled at the fact that he'd made another stride toward the top. His father, who had long pushed him to be better throughout his basketball journey, was there to witness it.

As was his newfound family. So, Paul, who was given the then-dry floor in the Spurs' locker room, offered up a few final words to his teammates.

Not about how much longer he had, nor whether his goal was to eventually pass Stockton. He knew neither of those things. Instead, he spoke on the journey they still had in front of them.

The one he's been blessed to be a part of.

"To be away from my family," Paul began, "y'all became my family. I hope y'all get the opportunity to play as long as I have."