File: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Had Enter on Doc Rivers’ Clippers Exit
Label J. Terrill/Associated Press
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were reportedly asked for their enter forward of Los Angeles Clippers governor Steve Ballmer made the determination to part systems with head coach Doc Rivers on Monday.
In step with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Ohm Youngmisuk, Ballmer known as “several key avid gamers,” at the side of Leonard and George, with a thought to derive their opinions. The story famed nothing Leonard or George suggested Ballmer changed his thoughts and that the determination to fire Rivers was once Ballmer’s alone.
On Monday, Ballmer referred to Rivers’ departure as a “mutual determination” following a disappointing elevate out to the 2019-20 season.
The Clippers finished because the No. 2 seed in the Western Convention with a 49-23 story, nonetheless they were eliminated in the 2nd spherical of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets after blowing a 3-1 series lead.
Expectations were excessive for the Clippers this season after the signing of Leonard and the acquisition of George from the Oklahoma Metropolis Converse. Anything else attempting a glide to the Western Convention Finals was once going to be really appropriate a failure.
Compounding the disappointing postseason ouster was once the truth that the rival Los Angeles Lakers no longer only reached the Western Convention Finals nonetheless moreover made it to the NBA Finals by virtue of their series exhaust over the a linked Nuggets team that eliminated the Clippers.
On Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski regarded on Accumulate Up! and reported that Ballmer wanted to invent a “dramatic swap” comparatively than standing pat with a team that did no longer derive the job finished. Parting with a coach of Rivers’ caliber suits the bill.
With a profession coaching story of 943-681 with 16 playoff appearances over 21 blended seasons with the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Clippers, Rivers is broadly really appropriate one amongst the simplest coaches of his era.
When adding in two NBA Finals appearances and a championship as head coach of the Celtics, Rivers is a possible Hall of Famer.
A brand contemporary declare in the head coaching role might perchance perchance well be wished, then again, and the Clippers might perchance perchance well even be able to discovering the appropriate candidate in-dwelling.
Wojnarowski mentioned that Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue is in a “very solid location” to be triumphant Rivers given his trip working with Leonard and George, plus his championship pedigree.
In parts of four seasons as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lue reached the NBA Finals three occasions and won a championship in 2016.
The Clippers need someone who can derive them over the dash, because the franchise has never gotten as some distance because the convention finals, and Lue might perchance perchance well be the appropriate man for the job given what he was once in a position to derive with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Co. in Cleveland.