USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Clippers sit on the sidelines during the second half in game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Clippers sit on the sidelines during the second half in game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The LA Clippers have been going through an internal struggle after their head coach, Doc Rivers, was fired post the team’s exit from the league. They lost the second round of the Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, which left them thoroughly embarrassed. Former Lakers’ legend, Magic Johnson has dissed the Clippers’ management for removing Doc from his post.
The Los Angeles teams were expected to make the Western Conference Finals. But plans took a turn when Rivers’ team was ruthlessly defeated by the Nuggets. They gave away a 3-1 lead in the series only to get eliminated from the league.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 7, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts after center Ivica Zubac (not pictured) fouled out of the game against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Doc Rivers gets fired, Magic Johnson shocked by the blame game
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For players like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the trolling began that very night and hasn’t stopped since. In light of all of this, the Clippers must have been eager to show that they would now be making changes for the offseason and ended up firing their head coach.
This move left quite a lot of fans and analysts surprised, one of whom was Magic Johnson. Magic couldn’t ‘believe’ this step taken by the franchise. He tweeted, “I can’t believe the LA Clippers fired Doc Rivers and basically blamed him for getting bounced out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets.”
I can't believe the LA Clippers fired Doc Rivers and basically blamed him for getting bounced out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 30, 2020
Two teams are going to get superstar coaches in Doc Rivers and Tyronn Lue.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 30, 2020
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How is the Clippers’ management going to keep things together?
It is hard to believe that the entire blame for the Clippers’ laughable ending was put on Doc Rivers. Doc has won a championship before, though not with the Clippers. But he clearly had the potential to take them forward. Now that he’s out of the picture it has left people wondering who would take his place.
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It needs to be kept in mind that the Clippers have given away hefty amounts to get their two superstars, Kawhi and Paul. Considering their short-term contracts, it’s yet to be decided if they’ll pick up the player option or not. It’s a crucial time for the Clippers as they are lacking options here.
It remains to be seen what steps the management will take to smooth things over.
