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LA Clippers: 3 takeaways from Doc Rivers’ departure as head coach

By Duncan Smith

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Ty Lue is the favorite to be the next coach of the LA Clippers

It’s not hard to see the parallels between Ty Lue’s first head coaching job and what might be developing in Los Angeles. The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their head coach David Blatt in 2015-16 while they were at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 30-11 record. They were the defending Eastern Conference champions and promoted Lue from his lead assistant position to run the team.

Those Cavaliers won the NBA championship over the Golden State Warriors.

Related Story. 50 greatest players in NBA history without a championship. light

Now Lue is the lead assistant coach for the LA Clippers. Of course, the cast of characters is different, and should Lue choose to take this assignment, he’ll have to get past LeBron James rather than work with him. While Kawhi Leonard may have a thin argument to be the best player in the NBA, he’s no peak LeBron.

Lue is a coach who can demand the best from his players, and he can demand it from the best of his players. Blatt struggled to do that with the Cavs, and it cost him. Similarly, there are rumors that the Clippers locker room is an inequitable place between the stars and the lesser lights, and that’s something that Ty Lue may be better equipped to manage than most coaches.

He has the pick of jobs at this point, and it’s just a matter of deciding which one he likes the best.

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