LA Clippers, Doc Rivers part ways after a disappointing playoff exit

The LA Clippers finished as the No. 8 seed in 2018-19. Despite finishing at the bottom of the conference, they proved to be a formidable foe in a six-game series against the Golden State Warriors.

During the offseason, the LA Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard. He is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Not only that, but the Clippers also traded for Paul George. With these two perennial All-Star players on the roster, the Clippers were the odds-on favorite to win it all.

After finishing with a 49-23 record, the Clippers dispatched the Dallas Mavericks in six games. In the second round, though, their fate was a cruel one. They jumped out to a 3-1 series lead but failed to seal the deal.

Not only did the Clippers go on to lose that series, but they also coughed up double-digit leads in each of the final three games. And of course, when a team loaded with talent and depth fails to meet expectations, changes are on the horizon.

With that being said, the Clippers and head coach Doc Rivers decided to part ways following a disappointing end to what was expected to be a championship season. Doc Rivers posted this statement on Twitter.

Rivers oversaw five of the six best seasons in Clippers’ history. Rivers also compiled a 356-208 record during his tenure. The team’s 63.1 winning percentage was the fifth-best record in the NBA. And the best record for a team that failed to reach the conference finals.

On the other side of the equation, there were also a few dubious distinctions as well. For instance, with their latest playoff exit, the Clippers have now gone 50 years without a conference finals appearance.

Secondly, the LA Clippers became the third team under Doc Rivers to surrender a 3-1 lead in a playoff series. The first instance was in 2003. That season, Rivers’ Orlando Magic fell to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.

In 2015, the Clippers jumped out to a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets before losing that series in seven games. Rivers has 943 wins on his resume, which is the 11th most by an NBA head coach.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer told ESPN that the team will begin its search and interview process for a new head coach immediately. Given the fact that both Leonard and George both have opt-out clauses in their contract after next season, getting the right coach in place becomes paramount.