Where does Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers rank among current NBA coaches? We take a deep dive to figure it out.
Nearly seven years ago, the Clippers hammered out a deal for one of the illustrious figures of modern era basketball in Chris Paul. The inclusion of the Point God alongside athletic bigs in Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan evinced the initiation of the Lob City era. Further, the addition of sharpshooter JJ Redick and elite Sixth Man, Jamal Crawford, furnished the franchise with invaluable floor spacing. Posing a model starting lineup and diverse complementary pieces on paper, the Clippers were projected to stockpile success in their journey.
Alas, burdened with the weight of expectations placed on their shoulders paired with a plethora of injury concerns in crucial moments saw the experiment go up in smoke. Off court disputes between teammates paired with alleged confrontations between Doc Rivers and Chris Paul induced a tense atmosphere within the team. Desperate to break-free from the uneasiness, Steve Balmer effectuated changes in the front office. Relieving Doc Rivers from front office duties, he’d hired The Logo, Jerry West, as a consultant and mentor to the young staff comprising Lawrence Frank, Michael Winger and Trent Redden.
The barter of cornerstone pieces in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in the prior season for younger, inexpensive assets manifested signs of a rebuilding year for the Clippers. Having modified their roster substantially, the accumulation of expiring contracts procures the team much needed flexibility for the future and grants them reasonable odds to allure superstar talent.
With Doc Rivers at the helm of the Lob City fiasco, there were speculations regarding his future with the Clippers. However, held in high esteem throughout the league, his presence could serve the Clippers as a viable landing spot for to-be Free Agents. Further, having experienced his most productive season with the Clippers last year, the former champion was granted a contract extension. An invaluable mentor to youth talent, the defensive minded coach conforms to the culture the Clippers are striving to build.
However, with the fanbase being split on the decision to renew Rivers, I have analysed his potential impact for the franchise. Does he feature in my Top 10 Head Coach rankings ? I’ve dug deeper into this matter and briefly penned down my thoughts on my picks for each position.