The NBA world was caught by surprise on Monday afternoon when the LA Clippers fired head coach Doc Rivers. After LA’s blown 3-1 lead in the conference semifinals, highlighted by clear fissures in the locker room, it’s apparent the Clippers’ situation was no longer tenable with Rivers in charge.
Few coaches command the respect Rivers does at every level. Players love him, coaches love him, and the media loves him. He’s exceedingly likable, he’s one of the most accomplished coaches in the league, and he has coached his share of superstar players across 21 years as a head coach.