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Los Angeles Clippers extending Doc Rivers is a smart move

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers and Milos Teodosic #4 of the LA Clippers during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 6, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers and Milos Teodosic #4 of the LA Clippers during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 6, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Giving Doc Rivers an extension is a smart move for the Los Angeles Clippers, especially after his outstanding season this past year.

Doc Rivers is a good head coach. There. I said it. The Los Angeles Clippers are making a smart move in trying to extend him and keep him on the sideline.

In his five seasons with the Clippers, Doc is 410-259 in the regular season and 18-22 in the playoffs. According to Basketball Reference, Doc currently ranks 14th in regular season wins with 846. He has won 57.6% of his games while coaching. Playoffs wise, he’s 7th in wins with 82. His winning percentage in the playoffs is only 50.9%, but hey, at least it’s a positive ratio. The numbers are only a portion of why it’s a good idea to hang onto Rivers though.

Respect on the name

Keeping Doc furthers the idea that the team is not re-building, but rather, re-tooling. While they may have moved on from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and could also lose DeAndre Jordan, it appears the franchise is looking to have some sort of consistency. Doc has proven that he is a players coach and despite what his on court demeanor may make him look like, he is widely respected in the league.

Related Story: Clippers and Head Coach Doc Rivers are close to agreeing to a contract extension

If the Clips are looking to recruit big name free agents either this summer or next, Doc is a good way to get them interested. Players may shy away from a team who is up in the air about their direction, but with Doc in place, the Clips can lay out a plan.

Doc’s resurgence

This season, which in terms of wins was Doc’s worst with the Clippers, was probably his best when you step back and look at it. The team started the year with a whole new look, was quickly decimated with injuries, traded away a franchise cornerstone and still managed to be in competition for a playoff competition all the way up until the last week of the season. According to Doc himself, this season has reinvigorated his love of coaching.

"“This season gave me life, it really did,” Rivers said. “This year’s group was great to coach, an extraordinary group, and it tells you that you can bring in the right guys and build the right culture and we can get this done.”More from ClipperholicsGrade the trade: Clippers shockingly land Trae Young in wild proposal3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers’ rosterTrading for this player covers the Clippers’ biggest weaknessHow will the LA Clippers fare in the in-season tournament?Why the LA Clippers should steer clear of recent gold medalist waiver"

The Clippers went from being one of the whiniest, weak minded and most disliked teams to being a dark horse playoff team and League Pass must watch. Yes, a good chunk of that was due to the players, but Doc definitely had a hand in it. With his focus back on just the X’s and O’s, he was able to lead the team in a way he hasn’t the past couple of years.

Youth Movement

Doc has also proved that he can develop players, which could be huge with the Clips having two lottery picks in this year’s draft. Critics of Doc may point out that he was forced to develop his youth this season due to injuries across the board, but let’s not forget about what he did with DeAndre Jordan. Prior to Doc, Jordan was a raw, athletic center who had not realized his potential. Doc turned him into an All-Star, an Olympian and a contender for First Team All-Defense.

If the team grabs someone like Robert Williams from Texas A&M, it is possible Rivers can develop him in the same way. Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace and Jawun Evans already made strides under Doc, so keeping him around should be great for their continued development.

Trust

I can sit here all day and spout out why this or that is the reason to keep Doc, but ultimately it comes down to one thing: Steve Ballmer trusts him.

Ballmer isn’t afraid to make changes. He’s already re-designed the franchise, hired a new president of business operations, removed Doc’s GM powers and brought in Jerry West to advise the team. So, for him to continue to want Doc as the head coach speaks volumes to his trust in the coach.

Just remember one thing. Doc Rivers the General Manager is done. It wasn’t a great tenure and was corrected. Let’s not hold that against him. Doc Rivers the coach has been great, especially this season and has earned this extension.

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