Things did get murky towards the end, especially between Chris and Blake. Ultimately, both the perennial All-Stars were traded, with CP3 being the first in line. Currently playing his 20th NBA season, the newly signed Spurs guard visited the Intuit Dome for his matchup against the Clippers.

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.

Having signed a one-year, $10.5-million deal to come to San Antonio in July, the 39-year-old All-Star is set to make his debut with his new club Thursday when the Spurs open the regular season at Dallas. In doing so, Paul is set to join a rare club in NBA history.

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.