5. Clippers might just need a tweak, not a blow-up
After so many regular season wins, season-altering injuries and postseason disappointments, it’s natural to want to close the door on the Lob City era of Clippers basketball. But it’s also worth noting that Los Angeles’ Big Three is one of the NBA’s best cores. Maybe what it needs is a new captain at the helm?
Nothing against Doc Rivers, but his time as the head coach — and especially as general manager — has left much to be desired. He won a championship with the Boston Celtics and a Coach of the Year award with the Orlando Magic, but that was a long time ago.
With the Clippers, his teams have underwhelmed, underperformed and underachieved year after year. The blame doesn’t lie solely with him, but his constant complaining about officials and incessant need to portray his team as victims doesn’t set the best example.
Doc Rivers has now blown 9 series leads, breaking a tie with George Karl for the most by a coach in NBA playoff history.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) May 1, 2017
The Clippers have looked mentally weak in close playoff games for years, and their reputation as one of the NBA’s biggest bunch of whiners certainly doesn’t help that perception. At some point, a change of leadership is needed, even when the current coach in question has a history of success.
Rivers is the reason the Clippers find themselves devoid of cap space, future first round picks AND bench contributors. He’s part of the Clippers’ recent success, but he’s also helped build a culture of falling short in the playoffs year after year.
A change-up is needed, and Doc was supposed to be that change after Vinny Del Negro. But rather than exile talented players, why not try swinging for Mark Jackson-to-Steve Kerr kind of upgrade once more?