Los Angeles Clippers Part Ways with Doc Rivers After Playoff Exit

The Los Angeles Clippers were not satisfied with how the year panned out and now Coach Doc Rivers is collateral damage in an underachieving season.

As Adrian Wojnarowski reports, the veteran coach is out in L.A. following their embarrassing second round exit from the postseason by the Denver Nuggets, giving up a 3-1 lead in the series. It was championship or bust for the Clips this season, who didn’t quite reach their goal and now stare at disappointment. He had two years left on his contract as well, but the organization has decided to move in a different direction.

After the season, it was said that Paul George’s final speech was met with eye rolling, so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s more changes coming.

Obviously, both PG13 and Kawhi Leonard can be free agents next summer, so owner Steve Ballmer needs to win the title next year or it will all blow up and they will be left without any draft picks.

With several coaching vacancies open, Rivers will command a lot of attention in the market with teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder all looking for coaches.

Replacing a successful coach is a bold move by the Clippers, and if they don’t win the championship next year, it can potentially backfire.

Ballmer had this to say about the “mutual decision” and news:

“Doc has been a terrific coach for the Clippers, an incredible ambassador, and a pillar of strength during tumultuous times. He won a heck of a lot of games and laid a foundation for this franchise.”

Who could they even bring in that would change the culture and win them a championship?

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