After the Clippers’ impressive 111-98 win over the Warriors Wednesday night, Chris Paul kept going. Not satisfied with his subpar 5-for-15 night shooting the ball, CP3 was spotted after the game hoisting up jumpers in a deserted Staples Center. That’s why he’s Chris Paul, we suppose. Like Paul, Dubs reserve center Jermaine O’Neal couldn’t let things on the court go after the game and patiently waited outside the Clippers locker-room for Blake Griffin.
Here’s Paul getting up some jumpers after the game, by way of Lang Whitaker. You can watch video of his post-game practice session here.
after a 5-15 night, CP puts in some over time at STAPLES.
#winner pic.twitter.com/SHrwIZCjPp
— Brian Sieman (@bsieman) March 13, 2014
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Chris Paul still working on his shot after the game. pic.twitter.com/q28D9FxiH9
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 13, 2014
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That wasn’t the only interesting thing that went down post-game. According to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Jermaine O’Neal and Blake had to be separated by Clippers officials well after the game concluded:
Golden State Warriors forward Jermaine O’Neal confronted forward Blake Griffin in the hallway outside the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room at Staples Center after L.A.’s 111-98 win Wednesday night.
The two had a heated conversation that was quickly broken up by a Clippers official who led Griffin to the adjacent news conference room.
O’Neal, 35, had dressed and was waiting outside the Clippers’ locker room to talk to Griffin.
Griffin, who was walking to the news conference room to take questions from reporters, could be heard telling O’Neal to “leave that s— on the court” before the two were separated and briefly shook hands.
Not really certain if they made up, or let bygones be bygones, but why else would they shake hands? The snafu outside the locker-room was a continuation of the technical O’Neal got in the fourth quarter as he was jawing with Griffin during a timeout.
During Blake’s post-game press conference, he was asked what was discussed during his various exchanges with O’Neal during and after the game. “Nah,” Blake said. “That’s between me and him.”
The Warriors and Clippers, possible first-round playoff opponents (they’d face off if the season ended today), have been getting physical all year. It’s pretty clear the Dubs think they can rattle Blake with hard fouls, some smack and maybe even by stationing a bench player outside his locker-room to get in his face after the game has ended.
UPDATE:
Paul Flannery of SB Nation, thinks we’re all overreacting to the incident between Blake and O’Neal. He was there and says Jermaine was not waiting outside the locker-room but passed Blake in the hall, which is when he confronted him.
This JO/Blake thing is getting played in weird ways this morning. He wasn't waiting for Blake outside the LR.
— Paul Flannery (@Pflanns) March 13, 2014
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JO walked down the hallway past Blake who was already there. Then he turned around and came back. They had words. They left.
— Paul Flannery (@Pflanns) March 13, 2014
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What do you think?
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