LA Clippers: How Doc Rivers will prepare team for mental challenge

The Ultimate Competitor

Throughout his career, Rivers has been able to build and coach great teams. He coached the Boston Celtics team that had Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Then he went to the Clippers and helmed the team headlined by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

That team revived the Clippers franchise. Finally, he was able to acquire Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and now has the best team that he has ever had in his career.

It is redundant but Leonard and George are historically great defenders. They are in the top 100 of defensive rating all-time. Combine that with their offensive talents and those two players are the best players that Rivers has had playing for him.

Rivers got the all-time great Kevin Garnett later in his career. Paul Pierce is not as great of a defender as Leonard or George. Chris Paul is also not as great a defender as the dynamic duo. Blake Griffin was not as developed during his tenure with the Clippers and is not the greatest defender.

Having great talent helps tenfold, but LA’s coach’s competitiveness is what pushes his teams. During the layoff, he got his players Peloton bikes and workout equipment. He is at Chris Paul’s level in terms of competitiveness and never gives up during games.

In 2016 he was fined $15,000 for losing his cool with an official in a double-overtime loss. A coach that is in the game with you is a coach that you can respect.