Clippers Break NBA Owners’ Toxic Practice as Ty Lue Makes LA History Despite Playoff Upset

Ty Lue will be sticking with the Los Angeles Clippers next season. Despite being the top prospect for the coaching job at the LA Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, Lue decided to stick with the Clippers. Although Lue had stated that his wish was to be with the team, nothing was concrete. Despite the Clippers season ending at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, the owners decided to keep the veteran coach.

Recent reports by Adrian Wojnarowski confirm his tenure extension. “Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank had been eager to secure Lue on a new deal and negotiations with his agent Andy Miller of Klutch Sports reached a finalized agreement in recent days, sources said,” report Woj.

Fans in the comment section are very excited for the veteran coach to get his due from the Clippers. Especially because, in recent times, teams often fire their head coaches after a bad season. For Instance, the Lakers firing Darvin Ham or the Phoenix Suns firing Fark Vogel. Now, Lue breaks that pattern. The veteran head coaches deal, according to Wojnarowski, will make Lue one of the NBA’s “highest-paid coaches.”

One fan noted that this was a Loss for the Lakers, suggesting they are “crying”

Another fan congratulated him thinking he “deserves” the extensions.

One user applauded the Clippers for keeping “their key pieces in place.”

A commenter went on to give props to Klutch Sports for their “great representation”

Finally, a fan requested an extension for Paul George as well.

This move by owner Steve Balmer is bound to go a long way to rejuvenate the Clippers.

Ty Lue signing an extension is positive for the Clippers!

In his initial four seasons at the helm, the 47-year-old guided the Clippers to a 184-134 record and secured three playoff berths, including a notable run to the Western Conference Finals during the 2020-21 season. Despite the coach’s efforts, persistent injuries to key players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George hindered the team’s performance, resulting in a period of underachievement. This season, Lue faced the challenge of integrating James Harden into the lineup after a trade, ultimately opting to utilize Russell Westbrook as a bench player.

This strategic adjustment injected new energy into the team, positioning them as formidable contenders. Nevertheless, their season concluded disappointingly with a premature exit in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks. Lue assumed the head coaching role following the departure of Doc Rivers after the 2019-20 season, concluding Rivers’ seven-year tenure. Before his appointment, Lue served a year on Rivers’ coaching staff after his dismissal from the Cleveland Cavaliers six games into the 2018-19 season.

During his tenure with the Cavaliers, spanning four seasons, Lue steered the team to three NBA Finals appearances, culminating in the franchise’s first-ever championship in the 2015-16 season. So keeping him on is probably the right decision.