Dunleavy FINALLY on the hot seat?!

[ClipperDomination]

The first coach fired in the NBA this season -- New Orleans' Byron Scott -- was dismissed 10 days earlier than the first coach fired last season: Oklahoma City's P.J. Carlesimo on Nov. 22, 2008.

That immediately prompted one top executive I know to ask the question surely being asked all over the league today: "Will Byron's firing start an avalanche the way P.J.'s did last year?"

Another avalanche of that magnitude is unlikely. A record six coaching changes were made before Christmas last season.


But there will be more this season. Maybe soon, too. One source plugged in to Clipperland insists owner Donald Sterling has already flirted seriously with the idea of dismissing Mike Dunleavy immediately, even though prized rookie Blake Griffin's debut has been put on hold because of his recent knee injury, and despite the fact that Dunleavy still is owed $5 million next season on top of this season's $5 million.

Doubts persist about Sterling's willingness to let Dunleavy go with that much money left on his contract, but attendance is flagging, and the offseason addition of John Lucas as an assistant coach appears to give Sterling an easy and inexpensive option for an interim replacement with NBA head-coaching experience.

You'll note that the Clippers began the week by losing by 28 points at home to the same New Orleans team whose consistent lack of competitive zeal so far this season -- Chris Paul aside -- helped get Scott canned so quickly.

One trusted source I consulted this week suggests Dunleavy could leave the bench and still retain his front-office gig, given that several of his recent roster moves -- drafting Eric Gordon, foisting Zach Randolph on Memphis for a nice chunk of cap space next summer and stealing Rasual Butler from the salary-dumping Hornets -- have been excellent. Instead of paying Dunleavy to leave, Sterling appears to have the option of keeping him as personnel chief, since Dunleavy and Lucas are longtime pals and presumably could coexist in a GM-coach relationship.

Yet another trusted source, however, says Dunleavy wouldn't accept serving as GM only, which further muddies the picture.

From the ESPN Weekend Dime via Marc Stein. Finally?!

[Jeezo1]

Finally, indeed. I'd say it's been long overdue. How Dunleavy continues to be our head coach is truly mind-boggling. Now all we have to do is soak the seat with gasoline and put it on fire. That way, Dunleavy would be gone for good. Get this idiot out of here Sterling and make Clipper Nation proud!!

[PlinkingPanda]

Ah.. Finally some good rumors floating about. If we have to lose Dunleavy as a GM in order to get rid of him as a coach I say do it. There are other GMs out there who can do better than what we've been seeing the past 25 years with Elgin. Sterling has been willing to put some money into the players. It's time he's done the same with the front office.

[cinnamon]

Please, please, please let this come true.
After all of our suffering --- could relief be in sight???

[Em1]

It's over for Dunleavy. That will be his last game. 22 point lead at HOME turns into a 15 point loss?

Anyone with a brain can see these guys hate playing for him. End this misery.

[PlinkingPanda]

It's over for Dunleavy. That will be his last game. 22 point lead at HOME turns into a 15 point loss?

Anyone with a brain can see these guys hate playing for him. End this misery.

We can only hope.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

He better be gone soon, I was disgusted with tonight's game besides the fourth quarter

[Roscoe Sheed]

This has to be the end, but Sterling's miserly ways probably won't allow for it

[RiversideClips]

WOW!! If Dunleavy was smart, he would fire himself as coach promote Lucas & still be the G.M.
I am tired of Dunleavy's inability to strategize during a game. The Players have shut him off, the fans think he is a horrible coach and Season Tix holders are loudly booing him.
Time for change, if we dream of a playoff run.

[donemilio21]

finally there is good news...I'm gonna be able to go to sleep tonight

[Det the Threat]

Though, i'll only believe it when i see it.

[jgustav1]

LOL at Dunleavy not wanting to serve in only the GM role. We can do better than him in both GM and coaching roles, look at the Korolev fiasco, the free agent signings of Tim Thomas, Baron and Ricky Davis to name a few of his mistakes.

[scratch21]

ralph lawler and mike smith can run this team better.

[playaloc916]

If we lose Dunleavy as a GM, then so be it. A change has to be made. We've had him as coach for too long, and only had one good season. It's time for a change. I just don't see things improving, coaching-wise, Griffin in the lineup or not.

[clippermitch]

I'm not watching another game until Blake and EG comes back or we have a new coach.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

:pray:

Though, i'll only believe it when i see it.

Same here

[JJ LoDuca]

ralph lawler and mike smith can run this team better.

I'm down with that.

Ya know, I used to be a Dunleavy supporter. In the two years following our playoff run, I said, "it's the injuries." That excuse is LONG gone by now, though. Last season was unacceptable, and the way this season is going, I would be the FIRST person to start "Fire Dunleavy" chants at Staples...that is, if I were foolish enough to buy tickets to watch his team (which I have been, previous to this year).

Also, in the aftermath of Friday's loss, some interesting tidbits-- from Ralph Lawler's Facebook/Twitter:

"Really believe the Road is the best thing for Clippers right now. Support has eroded badly at home. Better to face a hostile crowd on the road than in your own building. Hope they can play better out here and earn better support at home next Friday against Denver."

Then later...

"Clippers Alive and well in Oklahoma City. Got here in time to watch the Thunder beat San Antonio on TV. Shoot-around Sunday morning before 4pm PST test with Thunder at Ford Center. (Prime Ticket.) Mood OK considering what's been going on."

Glad the team knows the home crowd is pissed at them... not so sure I like that the mood is "OK...considering."

[mattfish]

Ralph's Facebook posts have been interesting lately... he sounds just as frustrated as the rest of us, and I've never heard him express himself like he has recently.

As for the rumors, I'm crossing my fingers!!

[ClipperDomination]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cli ... 0688.story

Tone and attitude would suggest a major shake-up for the Clippers, at least the way team officials were looking after the dust cleared against the Raptors. Frankly, change would be looming for almost any sports team in any league after such a series of debacles.

They are 3-7, and questions are coming fast and furious about a shake-up, in particular about General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy's future.

Al Thornton was asked whether there was the thought, or concern, that changes needed to be made after a loss like that.

"Maybe so, maybe so," he said.

Nothing major, in terms of a deal, appears close, though something smaller could be in the works. And those familiar with owner Donald Sterling's thinking, in terms of Dunleavy, don't believe he is on the verge of making a sweeping change.

[donemilio21]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-hei ... 088.column

Letter to Sterling from Mike Heisler