This one’s on DOC. . .
Four years ago, Doc Rivers joined the Los Angeles Clippers, which many thought would lead to the team winning a title. However, the team suffered many heartbreaking losses in the playoffs, as well as having the injury bug during his entire tenure as head coach and team general manager.
Before his arrival, CP3 held majority power on getting things done and players to come play for the team. With Doc landing both titles of coach and GM, there was a power struggle behind-the-scenes, as both personalities had to adjust their ways of being more professional around each other.
However, last February, L.A. was on the verge of landing Carmelo Anthony in a trade that involved Austin Rivers – but Doc shockingly turned down the offer involving his son.
This caused a locker room problem, leading to his eventual exit yesterday with the Houston Rockets. Nobody liked CP3 on the court, who took losing serious, to the point where he gave teammates constructive feedback. This wasn’t just limited to DeAndre Jordan, as Blake Griffin also had issues with his now former co-captain. We’re not sure if Blake will take his talents elsewhere; but Jerry West arriving will have a new initiative and power structure in effect immediately.
If they do lose Griffin, the Clippers could look to rebuild over the next few years; before their move to from Staples Center and have a playoff-contender ready by 2024. Let us know in the comments if you think Coach Rivers is crazy for not pulling the trigger on the Melo deal.
ESPN’s Michael Eaves breaking down what happened.
Paul’s relationship with Doc Rivers started to deteriorate rapidly after the Clippers acquired Austin Rivers. Several members of the team felt Austin acted entitled because his dad was both the coach and the President of Basketball Operations. In the view of the tenured players, Austin Rivers never tried to fit in, and when players tried to address the situation with him, he still did not respond the way the core of the team wanted him to.
It led to resentment within the locker room, which often played out during games. One of Paul’s biggest contentions with Doc was that Paul, and other players, felt Doc treated Austin more favorably than other players. He would yell at guys for certain things during games and practices, but not get on Austin in the same manner for similar transgressions.
But what really solidified Paul’s dissatisfaction with Doc was a proposed trade involving Carmelo Anthony last season. New York offered Carmelo and Sasha Vujacic to the Clippers in exchange for Jamal Crawford, Paul Pierce and Austin Rivers, a deal to which Rivers ultimately said no. That event led Paul to feel that keeping his son on the roster was more important to Doc than improving the team. So, ultimately, Paul lost both trust and faith in Doc.
As one league executive put it, “Chris despises Doc.”