Clippers Drama Never Ends
Added on May 31, 2013 by Scott in
No Comments
For a team that finished with 56 wins and fourth place in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers sure do resemble an organization in complete disarray. They fired head coach Vinny Del Negro, despite him leading them to the best regular season record in franchise history. And now soon to be free agent Chris Paul and owner Donald Sterling are trading accusations in the media.
Paul, who is still undecided about re-signing a long-term deal, is apparently upset that both Del Negro and Sterling are alleging that he is the reason the coach was dismissed. According to Paul, he had and wanted nothing to do with the team’s decision to retain Del Negro. So who’s telling the truth?
The answer to that question doesn’t really matter, because the damage is already inflicted. Players are pointing fingers at management, and management (Sterling in particular) is pointing fingers at players (specifically Paul). Did Sterling can Del Negro at Paul’s insistence? Or did Del Negro’s reported run-ins with the front office result in him being shown the door?
Paul’s reputation as a prima donna instigator isn’t on the same level as say LeBron James and Dwight Howard, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t innocent of such charges. He’s basically holding the Clippers hostage by refusing to commit to a new contract, even though they can pay him the most money. However, his stellar skill-set and rampant popularity with fans and teammates prevent him from being labeled a villain.
For all his talent, Paul has zero championships and only two playoff series victories in eight seasons, and whines about calls more than most of his superstar counterparts. That said, there’s no doubt the Clippers are better off with him than without him. At least until Blake Griffin develops a more complete game.
All that said, Paul’s public outrage does sound some alarms. Why would Sterling kick Del Negro to the curb after he guided them to their most successful season ever and back-to-back playoff appearances? And why would he accuse players of “calling the shots?” After all, they went through six coaches since 2000 before hiring Del Negro in 2010.
Whatever the facts, something is rotten in Clipper Land, again. No wonder the franchise has been a laughing stock of professional sports for the last 40 years.
Source: ESPN.com
