Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers at TAO in Las Vegas

Blake Griffin, Grant Hill and Chris Paul at TAO
Chris Paul
and his teammates from the Los Angeles Clippers tipped off the pre-season in Las Vegas on Friday night at TAO Restaurant and Nightclub (Pictured: Blake Griffin, Grant Hill and Chris Paul at TAO – Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery)

Grant Hill with TAO Cake

Grant Hill with TAO Cake

Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery.

The celebration began with dinner in the restaurant as the entire Clippers team including Lamar Odom, Grant Hill, Chauncey Billups, Matt Barnes and Blake Griffin joined Chris. Lamar Odom began dinner by ordering a champagne toast for the entire team who took up two large tables in front of TAO’s iconic Buddha.

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Lamar Odom at TAO Buddha

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Lamar Odom at TAO Buddha

Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery.

The players feasted on a special Clippers Sushi Roll, added to the menu for the night in honor of the team, as well as a special “Lob City Typhoon Lobster” dish, and Chris Paul’s favorite Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass. Chris was overheard asking TAO Executive Chef Mike Armstrong to bring out another serving because it was his favorite. He also gave Chef Mike a sneak peak of his new JORDAN CP3 VII sneakers from his iPhone.

Chris Paul with TAO Cake

Chris Paul with TAO Cake

Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery.

The NBA stars then headed up to the nightclub and took over a group of VIP tables on the dance floor. DJ Politik shouted out their entrance and all eyes shifted toward their arrival. Chris Paul had a specially-planned birthday surprise for teammate and NBA journeyman Grant Hill, who turned 40 on Friday. Hill was presented with a birthday cake as the entire club joined his teammates in singing him Happy Birthday.

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Grant Hill, Lamar Odom with TAO Cake

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Grant Hill, Lamar Odom with TAO Cake

Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery.

Later in the night, a parade of lights led the way through the club as another cake surprised the Clippers team with “All I Do Is Win” written on it. Blake Griffin got his hands on a basketball and showed off his ball spinning skills as he danced while spinning it on his finger. Chris and his teammates danced and partied until 2 am as it was time to go back to their hotel and rest up for their first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

LA Clippers on TAO Red Carpet

LA Clippers on TAO Red Carpet

Photo credit: Al Powers / Powers Imagery.

Leave a Reply