Clippers, Dunleavy Sever Ties

[scratch21]

What?

[mkwest]

Clippers, Dunleavy Sever Ties



The following is a statement from the Los Angeles Clippers:

The Los Angeles Clippers and General Manager Mike Dunleavy today have severed ties. Dunleavy previously also served as the team’s head coach from 2003-04 until February 4, 2010, when he resigned as head coach.

The organization has determined that the goal of building a winning team is best served by making this decision at this time. The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy’s seven-year tenure. The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective.

Neil Olshey, presently the Clippers’ Assistant General Manager, will assume the duties created by Dunleavy’s departure. He joined the organization as Director of Player Development for the 2003-04 season. He served as an Assistant Coach in 2004-05, and was elevated to the position of Director of Player Personnel from 2005-06 through 2007-08. He assumed the role of Assistant General Manager prior to the start of the 2008-09 season.

Olshey has played an important role in the completion of several significant team transactions, including the deals which brought Marcus Camby, Craig Smith, Rasual Butler, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, and Drew Gooden to the Clippers, among others. He also played a integral part in administering all preparation for the Clippers’ last four NBA Drafts, which produced Al Thornton, Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, and last year’s #1 overall pick, Blake Griffin.

[loflin3hree5ive]

Sterling better be planning on spending big bucks on a front office this summer.

[scratch21]

No can get sterling to open his wallet like dumbleavy

[mkwest]

I don't know how to feel right now. I actually did like Dunleavy in a GM role. Olshey has been involved in decisions, so that may not be a horrible thing for him to be promoted (at least for the time being). I just hope it isn't a sign that Larry Brown is coming and will be given total control.

If the Clippers are going to make a move like this, then they need to do it right and try to bring in quality personnel to both the front office and to the coaching staff.

[ahonui06]

This is the smartest move the Clippers have made in 7 years. I think the Clippers have a nice core with Griffin, Kaman, and Gordon. Baron and Blake are nice guards also. Clips have a nice shot of building around the first 3 i mentioned and becoming a playoff team. If they build properly.

[donemilio21]

Finally we completely gotten rid of Dunleavy! Good call on making it before the season end. Whoever Clippers are planing to hire would have less to deal with.

Does this mean Larry Brown will come in as Head Coach and GM???
I mean he likes total control but the Detroit team he won championship with was created by Joe Dumars not Brown.

[donemilio21]

No can get sterling to open his wallet like dumbleavy

true.

[cinnamon]

Way, way, way past time for this move.
For me, the Camby trade was the last straw. I just haven't felt the same engagement since.
But I was weary beyond belief of Dunleavy and all he came to stand for with this team, long before that.

[Roscoe Sheed]

So, Larry Brown is coming back? GM and coach? This team would be big time next year with LB, a good FA, and Griffin

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I don't know how to feel right now. I actually did like Dunleavy in a GM role. Olshey has been involved in decisions, so that may not be a horrible thing for him to be promoted (at least for the time being). I just hope it isn't a sign that Larry Brown is coming and will be given total control.

If the Clippers are going to make a move like this, then they need to do it right and try to bring in quality personnel to both the front office and to the coaching staff.

Totally agree with you 100%

[TheNewEra]

he is finally gone

[salmahayek]

I think it would be a mistake to bring in Larry "Next Town" Brown. They need to bring in a basketball man as GM and a good, young up and coming coach.

Plus, LeBron didn't enjoy his Olympic experience with Brown, so that would not be a good recruiting move for him.

The Clippers need to look long term and tradition...and when I say tradition, I do not mean the "Elgin Baylor Draft Lottery Chair."

Maybe Jerry West? That is about as much LA tradition as there is in terms of both a player and GM. Pat Riley?

I think Sam Presti of OKC would be an outstanding talent to try and lure to the front office. He has been a cap master while also doing a great job of evaluating college players for the draft.

Coaching wise - if Riley wouldn't want to coach - he says he doesn't - but if LeBron would come, however improbable that might be, there is still a nice nucleus to build off of.

Byron Scott? He would be an excellent choice.

So...there are bonafide candidates out there for GM, coach, and free agents...let's see what Mr. Sterling does - it's now or never...

[mattfish]

3/9/2010 is now an official Clippers fan holiday.

[SportsFan215]

How did it take this long for Sterling to realize that it was time to move on from Dunleavy? Anyways now it is time to start building the future Clipper dynasty!!!

[PlinkingPanda]

This off season is going to be extremely exciting, and can be extremely disappointing at the same time. I can't wait. Let's see if Sterling truly wants to win.

[bbsee1]

I see this decision has a polarizing response. For me I'm disappointed in the firing. Why not give him chance? Elgin Baylor was GM for over 20 years while Dunleavy was only GM for like a year. I thought he made good moves in clearing salary cap space. The reason why the team hasn't had success was because of Elgin Baylor as GM and because of Dunleavy's coaching. I just think this looks bad for the organization right now with everything that has happened. It looks like we have no stability or direction.

[clippermitch]

As much as I hate coach dunleavy, gm dunleavy wasn't bad. I liked the trades he made and draft picks over the years outside of Korolev.

Anyways, the timing of the announcement was classless. Couldn't they gave waited til tomorrow morning??? I hope gms, coaches, and players are not turned off by this classless move.

[donemilio21]

I see this decision has a polarizing response. For me I'm disappointed in the firing. Why not give him chance? Elgin Baylor was GM for over 20 years while Dunleavy was only GM for like a year. I thought he made good moves in clearing salary cap space. The reason why the team hasn't had success was because of Elgin Baylor as GM and because of Dunleavy's coaching. I just think this looks bad for the organization right now with everything that has happened. It looks like we have no stability or direction.

thats exactly why. we should have gotten rid of dunleavy once and for all duties and thats what we did. Having Baylor for that long was the biggest mistake in sports history.
For a fresh start, you need completely fresh faces.
I wish we could get rid of Sterling as well, but for now we have to thankful ( and hopeful) that for the first time in his life, he will act selfless and help this team become a contender.

[and1GS]

Congrats to you guys for finally getting out of the Dumbleavy era. He can't even sue Sterling for racial discrimination, win/win! Here's hoping you get someone better than Elgin Baylor to replace him.