Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook vacation together after retirements
Fresh off their respective retirements, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook vacationed together in Portofino, Italy, over the past week with their wives and others.
Paul and Westbrook -- who were notably swapped for one another in a 2019 trade -- chronicled their trip on various social media posts.
One post showed Paul, 41, who is second in career assists, throwing a lob to Westbrook on a court stationed on a yacht. Westbrook, 37, who is fifth in assists, then returned the favor, connecting on an alley-oop with Paul. They captioned the Instagram post: "Retirement ..."
Paul shared a collage on Instagram three days later with more visuals. The two mixed on a DJ set and played tennis together. Another slide showed an image of Westbrook and Paul during a game when Paul was with the Oklahoma City Thunderand Westbrook with the Houston Rockets.
Carmelo Anthony commented "My guys!!! Love to see this! It gets better," while Dwyane Wade wrote: "Yes Sir!" Westbrook also commented: "What a time my brother."
But, it was the tennis video that caught the attention of Paul's former Thunder teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time MVP commented: "I'll fry you in tennis."
Gilgeous-Alexander and Paul share a close relationship after playing together in 2019-20. In February, Gilgeous-Alexander said Paul was "special for my career."
Westbrook announced his retirement in August after an 18-year playing career, and Paul retired in February following 21 years in the league. Paul had an unceremonious end to his career with the LA Clippers sending him home last December. He recently said on the "Build or Break" podcast that the situation was "probably one of the most disrespectful things that I've endured."
Two of the greatest point guards of all time, they never suited up together in the NBA. However, they won a gold medal as part of Team USA at the 2012 Olympics.
And they are widely expected to be part of the same Basketball Hall of Fame class in 2029.br/]
