The Clippers' playoff run last spring and their busy off-season of stockpiling talent simply increased the pressure on them to be successful this season.
That burden to succeed rests not only with All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, but also with the man who is expected to lead them, Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro.Sitting in his office Wednesday afternoon, Del Negro leaned back in his chair and said of his situation: "I think there's always pressure, but I think that's a position that you want to be in.
"My goal coming here was to help change the environment, change the culture and change the direction of the organization."Del Negro said there has been "a little bit" of discussion about his contract extension, but there is "no sense of urgency for either side" to get a deal done right away.
"Of course, I wish it was under maybe a different situation," Del Negro said. "But I was on a one-year deal last year and I'm still here and enjoying myself and believe in what we're doing. I think all those things work themselves out over time."
Brad Turner, LA Times
On a side note, Billups is expected to return to practice in mid-October
