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Locked on Clippers May 29: Was Vinny Del Negro Better for Los Angeles?

By Garrett Chorpenning

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 19: Head Coach Vinny Del Negro talks to Blake Griffin #32, Chris Paul #3 and Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 19, 2013 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 19: Head Coach Vinny Del Negro talks to Blake Griffin #32, Chris Paul #3 and Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 19, 2013 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In today’s episode of Locked on Clippers, I answer your mailbag questions, comment on the weekend’s events, and preview the NBA Finals.

Hey there Clipper Nation, and welcome back to the show. I hope you had an excellent holiday weekend, and I hope you’re ready to hear me go on a few rants today.

The first of those comes from the mailbag questions. Someone asked me whether or not the team would’ve been very different over the past few seasons if the Clippers had stuck with Vinny Del Negro instead of trading for Doc Rivers. I didn’t think much of it at first, save for a few differences surrounding DeAndre Jordan.

But after doing some research into the direction of Del Negro’s team, and the trends they were showing, I got a little angry. Because now, I really do think the Clippers made a mistake by firing Del Negro in 2013.

The offensive and defensive ratings were almost all I needed to look at. In each of his three seasons, Del Negro improved both ratings, increasing the difference between the two. This created a more efficient, well-balanced team.

On the other hand, Rivers has improved the offensive ratings of his teams almost every season, while the defensive has done the opposite.

You see why I’m frustrated now, right?

I also covered this weekend’s top stories, which were strictly limited to the NBA Playoffs. We’ve reached that time of the year when there is almost no news flowing regarding the Clippers, and when we’ve already speculated on everything else. Still though, I spent some time talking about why Chris Paul would’ve been the difference for Houston.

To close, I previewed the now redundant NBA Finals, which will feature the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Due to the extreme inferiority of the Cavs, I’m taking the Warriors in four.

Come back tomorrow, where I’ll be chatting about Ralph Lawler and Bruce Bowen’s partnership!

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