Rumor: Clippers president/coach Doc Rivers' work ethic not up to snuff

[MartinToVaught]

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#FireDoc

[clips4ever]

I sincerely think this is his last year. Hopefully at least.

[MartinToVaught]

I sincerely think this is his last year. Hopefully at least.

The media has finally stopped protecting Doc and making excuses for him. That will hopefully make it easier for Ballmer to justify firing him.

[Ranma]

Bill Simmons has been hinting that Doc spends a lot of time on the golf course during company time, which is easy to dismiss given his personal prejudice against Doc, but he is connected to people in-the-know and does spend time watching the Clippers. However, I've been hearing more of this sort of stuff with increasing frequency and now with this article MartinToVaught has brought to our attention citing fairly reliable sources in Kevin Ding and Zach Lowe referencing their sources of Doc's shenanigans, it only furthers my belief that Doc should be relieved of his duties.

I want to be clear that I think he's a capable coach and that he was extraordinary in navigating us through the Sterling mess, but he's been paid quite handsomely to do two jobs and he hasn't met expectations in either of them. He's been compensated for his actual contributions and then some. It's time to move on from him, but Ballmer will keep giving him a chance, especially since he's paying Doc over $10 million a year for the next 2 seasons.

It was laughable how Doc was telling everyone that he needed more sleep during the Jerry West press conference to the point that people were flooding the Facebook live feed with laughing smilies when he said that he didn't want to be surrounded by yes men. It's frightening to see how comfortable Doc is in schmoozing with Ballmer and coasting on his past accomplishments instead of what he's done and will do for the organization. I'm genuinely concerned that Ballmer is actually considering extending Doc when his deal does expire or, heaven forbid, moving him upstairs in an exclusive executive role. Hopefully, Jerry West sees through this BS, which I think he does given how connected and astute he is, and will advise Ballmer to fire or otherwise move on from Glenn "Doc" Rivers.

At the same time, I can see both West and Ballmer giving Doc a chance to prove himself or fail with the roster West is helping construct for him to further debunk the legitimacy of his continued excuse-making.

[Ranma]

While this is just dogpiling on the narrative, this report plays into talk of Michael Eaves's leak of resentment of Austin Rivers among the other players as well as Chris Paul having a low opinion of Doc. Yeah, CP3 likely took offense to the Clippers not giving him that 5th-year max deal when he worked hard to secure that option as NBPA president, but given his competitive and demanding nature, what was the point of sticking around when your own coach isn't on the same page of putting in the work to win?

In light of this report, I don't blame Blake Griffin as much for pushing for that 5th-year maximum deal to commit back to the franchise again. People may be saying this is an overblown issue, but as it has been quite evident in free agency, players talk to each other and want to win. They're not going to take less money in order to team up and play for a team whose leadership isn't putting in the same work and commitment to winning as they are. This also might further explain why LeBron James did not seriously consider the Clips despite the reportedly impressive pitch that was presented to him. This is a huge problem.

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[og15]

While this is just dogpiling on the narrative, this report plays into talk of Michael Eaves's leak of resentment of Austin Rivers among the other players as well as Chris Paul thinking having a low opinion of Doc. Yeah, CP3 likely took offense to the Clippers not giving him that 5th-year max deal when he worked hard to secure than option as NBPA president, but given his competitive and demanding nature, what was the point of sticking around when your own coach isn't on the same page of putting in the work to win?

In light of this report, I don't blame Blake Griffin as much for pushing for that 5th-year maximum deal to commit back to the franchise again. People may be saying this is an overblown issue, but as it has been quite evident in free agency, players talk to each other and want to win. They're not going to take less money and in order to team up and play for a team whose leadership isn't putting in the same work and commitment to winning as they are. This also might further explain why LeBron James did not seriously consider the Clips despite the reportedly impressive pitch that was presented to him. This is a huge problem.

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Did you mean Kevin Durant?

This is an interesting article, I think most people are kind of tired of Doc now, so Doc leaving really won't make anyone sad.

[Ranma]

Did you mean Kevin Durant?

This is an interesting article, I think most people are kind of tired of Doc now, so Doc leaving really won't make anyone sad.

No, I actually meant LeBron James since we were one of the few teams granted an audience with him before he signed with the HEAT. That stuck out to me because I was used to the Clippers flubbing the execution of practically everything when it came to front office plans, but heard that we actually did a really good job with our presentation only to have LeBron still not seriously consider us. It stood out to me because I thought it was a perfect match with Paul and Griffin already aboard and the chance to make history in adding to his legacy in turning around a franchise with a history of turmoil.

It was further striking to me because previously Kobe Bryant was actually fairly close to joining Dunleavy's Clippers before the Lakers traded away Shaquille O'Neal and I thought we had a better chance with LeBron than Kobe in those respective situations.

For some reason, I blanked on our pitch to Kevin Durant, which by most accounts, had us also close in the running and apparently ahead of Oklahoma City before we got signals that he was down to the Warriors and Celtics. Thanks for reminding me.

[DLaren]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

[og15]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

I'm not going to act like Doc is a clueless coach and I could coach better than him like some take it too far and say. The reality is that Doc has had some very talented teams. Did he make the Clippers better? Did he make the players better? Sure, in some ways, but in other ways he put a ceiling on them. Still, he came to a team that won 56 games the previous season, so winning 50 games when you have the guys he's had is not an accomplishment, it's the bare minimum expectation.

Of course you wanting Rose might explain your comment

[nickhx2]

50 wins a season might have been good enough to contend 10 years ago.

not even remotely close to get anywhere meaningful in 2017. that's why doc wasn't taking us anywhere, because his approach worked in a time when organizations as advanced and fortunate as GS didn't exist.

[MartinToVaught]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

Is that you, Doc?

[clips4ever]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

Wait are you joking? Seriously, if you have been a Clippers fan to any extent over the past 4 years then there is no way in hell you think Doc is more qualified than JERRY WEST?! Do you realize the man has constructed 3 different dynasties and is the sole reason the Grizzlies were relevant? Come on man you just raised my blood pressure.

[Neddy]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

first of all, I love you man, and you know this.

secondly, you are very wrong on this, and i will not dissect this too far as many others will. but you are wrong on this, my friend.

[TucsonClip]

This shouldnt be news to anyone following the team the last few years. Doesnt mean hes a bad coach, but he NEVER should have been given the power he currently has. Ive said this from day one.

[Clemenza]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

Are you high??? Doc has been the worst GM in the league for like four years in the running. Thank god Jerry West came aboard to fix this mess that Doc has put us into

[Ranma]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

[Dynamix]

I'm not going to bash a fellow Clippers fan for stating an opinion, but I will gladly And1 others that do it for me.

[madmaxmedia]

All I know is every team Doc coached or built in the last decade won 50 games and was in the conversation for a championship -- so he must be doing something right.

The Clippers biggest problem right now is having Jerry West in the building; we really didn't need another chef in the kitchen - sticking his long-thumb in all the pots, taking all of the 'flavor' out of this roster (i.e. picking that euro over D.Rose) - Doc knows what he's doing, let that man cook.

Where is the green font??

[mttwlsn16]

We would've had just as much success and won just as many games with VDN as we did with Doc imo
The one spot I definitely think Doc helped with more than VDN could've was during that whole DTS crap during the playoffs a few years ago.

[Quake Griffin]

I disagree with that as I don't think Vinny is a good coach at all and I doubt he could have coached us to a win vs. SAS.

While I think it's probably optimal to move on from Doc, keeping him insulated from shopping for the groceries (as Bill Parcells says) and just having him coach is not something I'm opposed to.

Other thing is...
Wouldnt be surprised if these rumors are based on nothing but those tweets Ranma posted in the past and something like reading this forum or reddit etc etc.




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