The Los Angeles Clippers never advanced out of the second round during the tenure of Chris Paul, and there were often concerns of whether their Big 3 brought out the best in each other.

When Paul left the Clippers, he talked about issues with the culture.

“The dynamic with Blake and Chris was weird," said Austin Rivers. "I don’t know why. It was just strange. No one knew who the leader was, and if you had something to say, it would turn into an argument. I think people were sometimes scared to say something to Blake, because you didn’t know how he’d react. [Now] he’s a whole different person, more approachable, and I think it’s because we’ve embraced him. We know who our leader is. We’re all-in with Blake Griffin.”

Paul left the Clippers in the offseason to sign with the Houston Rockets.

“We were front-runners,” Griffin said. “When things were going great, the ball was hopping around. But when we felt resistance in games, we splintered. I just want to make sure, even when we have down moments, we don’t splinter.” 

Three years ago, Griffin asked Tim Duncan for advice on dealing with Paul.

“He said, ‘The leader isn’t the guy yelling the loudest or talking the most,’” Griffin recounts. “It’s the guy everybody looks at in the end and knows, ‘I’m following him.’”