Chris Paul

Chris Paul apparently feels no ill will toward NBA commissioner David Stern for kaboshing a trade last year that would have sent the All-Star point guard to the Lakers. Paul told   GQ magazine that he preferred to play for the Clippers, rather than the Lakers. "They had the better pieces," Paul said. "And winning with the Clippers would be legendary. " Paul helped transform the Clippers last season into contenders in the West. The Clippers made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and went on to beat Memphis in the first round, winning only their third playoff series in franchise history.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. --The first question for Chris PaulSunday was about how his mild-left groin strain that kept him out of Wednesday night's season finale at New York felt.  “I'll be ready to play tonight,” Paul said. On Sunday, the Clippers play the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at the FedExForum. Much of the speculation for the Clippers has been on how healthy Paul will be for the best-of-seven series. “You walk in here and see all the T-shirts and stuff like that.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Clippers point guard Chris Paul has a contusion in his right kneecap and will not play Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. There also is a good chance that Paul won't play in Houston on Tuesday night in a back-to-back game. Paul didn't participate in the Clippers' shoot-around earlier Monday, sitting on the sidelines with what he said was a swollen knee. He had a stimulant device connected to his knee. Asked if he would play against the Grizzlies, Paul said: "I don't know yet. If a miracle comes through.

-- ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin highlights Jim Buss' comments on 710 ESPN's Mason & Ireland that he has moved on from the NBA nixing the Chris Paul deal. -- The Times' Mike Bresnahan outlines the Lakers-Nuggets matchup. -- The Times' Ben Bolch looks at what makes Kobe Bryant a good closer. Bolch also previews first-round matchups . -- ESPN.com's J.A. Adande argues the Lakers need to slow down the pace against Denver. -- A panel of Ball Don't Lie writers predicts the Lakers will beat the Nuggets in six games.

LOSING IT TNT's Kevin McHale , on a dunk by Orlando's Vince Carter , aka Half-Man, Half-Amazing: "That dunk was three-quarters man and only a quarter amazing. " YEAH, HE'S STAYING New Orleans' Chris Paul , tweeting after 12,479 saw the Hornets go 7-0 in a home win over the Clippers: "Good win for us again 2nite...gr8 not to have to play the 4th...crowds have been good but can be A LOT better, plz N.O. come out 4 us...7-0!" NON-DENIAL DENIAL Boston's Kevin Garnett , on charges by Chicago's Joakim Noah that he's "ugly," "mean" and a dirty player: "Everybody has an opinion and obviously, he had one. I'm not entertaining nor addressing nobodies.

Looking ahead SAN ANTONIO AT CLIPPERS: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. TV: TNT The team with the best record in the NBA can't seem to beat the Clippers. The Spurs are 0-2 against the team they swept out of the Western Conference semifinals last season, even losing on a home court where they had won 17 of their previous 18 meetings. The common irritant in both defeats this season has been Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who averaged 14.5 points and 10 assists in those games. On the plus side for San Antonio, it is back at full strength after Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sat out recent games because of injuries.

Reporting from Philadelphia — When it was over, Chris Paul and Kenyon Martin slapped hands, the same hand Paul had used to hit the game-winning shot, the same hand Martin had used on defense in the final seconds to secure the Clippers' victory Friday night. The Clippers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 78-77, because so many of their hands were involved in the process, not just Paul making a 16-foot jumper with 3.2 seconds left for the final score. It was Martin helping Paul double-team Lou Williams on his final missed shot.

Reporting from Salt Lake City — It was like being at the hospital, listening to Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro give medical updates on his team. Chris Paul remains day-to-day after he missed his second straight game because of a strained left hamstring. Mo Williams shot before Tuesday night's game, a 108-79 loss to the Jazz, but the backup point guard missed his third straight game because of a sore right foot. Brian Cook didn't play in his second straight game because of a sprained ankle, and guard Eric Bledsoe , who hasn't played all season (right knee surgery)

SAN ANTONIO — So what do you want, the feel-good, feisty yarn about how the Clippers never give up? Or maybe an uplifting reminder how the Clippers came from 27 down to win before, pronounced dead in the last series after six games, only to triumph? Do you believe in more than one miracle? Or maybe something to lessen the sting a little with a cute little exchange between father and son: "Bad shot again, Daddy?" says Chris Paul's 2-year-old son, Chris, while walking through the locker room.

SAN ANTONIO - These Clippers said they were up for the challenge of this difficult four-game trip, even if it did start against the always-tough San Antonio Spurs. By defeating the Spurs, 92-87, Monday night at the AT&T Center, the Clippers began their trip the right way. They beat the Spurs for the second time this season because Chris Paul was solid again, scoring 19 points and handing out eight assists, and because Blake Griffin was solid with 16 points and 12 rebounds. "At the end of the day, I always say you can't win them all without winning the first one," Paul said.