Gregg Popovich is currently out indefinitely with a health issue. The longtime San Antonio Spurs coach is away from the team for an extended period or the first time since he took over as head coach in December 1996.

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.

The Los Angeles Clippers officially opened their doors to the Intuit Dome following years of preparation and planning. Coincidentally, some of the first opposing players to play in the LA Clippers’ new arena are Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul.