Chris Paul Is Playing Out Of This World Right Now, Says Wale
Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul after the Phoenix Suns eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers last week. Has advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in his 16 year career.
According to ESPN’s Stats and Info, Chris Paul will play his 1st NBA Finals game in the 1,214th game of his career. That’s the 2nd-latest into a player’s first-ever Finals game career, behind only Kevin Willis (1,429).
After the Suns beat the Clippers 130-103 behind Chris Paul’s 41 point performances, Paul said, “I was on a don’t-lose mission,” Paul said. “Just a lot of emotion. A lot of (things) going on.”
Last month, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols interviewed Wale on Twitter Spaces. During their chat, Rachel Nichols asked Wale how hard was it for Paul to sit at home during the first-two games of the Western Conference Semifinals.
“He got that psychotic and overly dedicated gene. He is obsessed and has that Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady thing in him,” said Wale.
“Chris Paul has been dealt a crazy hand in his career as far as support. I know this is the closest he has ever been to the finals. He is playing out of this world right now. It’s crazy for him to be watching this, but I know he is proud of his boys going hard like this for sure.”
Rachel Nichols would follow that up by stating, “He was a hamstring away in Houston from reaching his first NBA Finals.
Chris Paul, at the time, was out due to testing positive for Covid-19 and was in health and safety protocol.
“I want to see Chris Paul in the finals, and I think a lot of people see him in there,” Wale said.
The Finals start on Tuesday in Phoenix on ABC at 9 pm EST.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
