Paul’s tutelage has already begun in San Antonio. He recently warned rookie guard Stephon Castle about the dangers of sartorial sloppiness. If Castle checked in off the bench with his jersey untucked, he could be called for a delay of game, Paul told him, a niche rule Paul has exploited against opponents in the past.

At 39 years old, Chris Paul is demonstrating that his one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs is shaping up to be truly memorable.

Telepathy transpired a couple of months into Johnson’s third NBA season, years after Paul had recovered from a supposed downswing to regain first-class status in the point-guard hierarchy. His Phoenix Suns were mired in a close game, down six to the Portland Trail Blazers and hoping to hamper one of the world’s sharpest shooters.

Norman Powell finishes with 23 points as the Clippers go on a late scoring tear to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 113-104 and end a three-game losing streak.

A group of four bench players and center Ivica Zubac get the Clippers back into a game that was slipping away early, then Norman Powell pushes them to a 113-104 victory that snaps a three-game