Despite leading the Los Angeles Clippers to the Western Conference semifinals, the Clippers parted ways with head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. Rivers had spent the last seven seasons as the head coach of the Clippers, having a record of 356 wins and 208 losses. However, Rivers was unable to deliver what he accomplished while with the Boston Celtics in 2008, and that was win a NBA Finals.
Rivers had a record of 943 wins and 681 losses in 21 seasons coaching the Celtics, Clippers and Orlando Magic. Since joining the National Basketball Association as a head coach in 1999-2000, Rivers has guided his team to the playoffs in 16 of them.
Among coaches who have coached 1500 NBA games or more, Rivers has the seventh highest winning percerntage in history at .581. He is only behind Phil Jackson (.704), Gregg Popovich (.675), Pat Riley (.636), Jerry Sloan (.603), George Karl (.588), and Rick Adelman (.582).
One must realize expectations were extremely high for the Clippers this season. When they brought in Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers were supposed to be the team from Los Angeles in the NBA Finals. However, after completely collapsing in three consecutive games in the NBA Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, it was Rivers who paid the price.
It will now be interesting to see who the Clippers decide to be their next head coach. Do not be surprised if Leonard has some power here. Satisfying the Clippers star player will be extremely important as the team goes forward. One strong possibility could be Jason Kidd, who has head coaching experience with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, and is currently the assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Another is Mark Jackson, who was able to turn around the Golden State Warriors before their string of championships. Jackson is presently a top analyst for ESPN.
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