Tyronn Lue is the betting favorite to replace Doc Rivers as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo from @basketusa (Twitter).
- Doc Rivers steps down as head coach of the Clippers following upset playoff loss to Nuggets
- Clippers assistants Tyronn Lue and Sam Cassell are the top two betting favorites to replace Rivers
- Read below to find out who we like to take the reins in LA
The fallout from the Los Angeles Clippers’ crushing playoff collapse continues to ripple through the franchise.
On Monday, longtime head coach Doc Rivers and the team decided to mutually part ways, leaving a massive leadership void on a team that has all of next season to right the ship — or else.
For now, it’s his assistant coaching tree that appear the early frontrunners to land the gig.
LA Clippers New Head Coach Odds
| Coach | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tyronn Lue | +150 |
| Sam Cassell | +300 |
| Mike D’Antoni | +400 |
| Brett Brown | +600 |
| Mark Jackson | +750 |
| Jeff Van Gundy | +800 |
| Stan Van Gundy | +800 |
| Kenny Atkinson | +900 |
| Jason Kidd | +1000 |
| Becky Hammon | +1400 |
*FanDuel odds taken September 28th
Does Ty Lue — the only one to win an NBA title as a head coach on this list — seem like the best bet? Or is there another coach that provides greater value? Let’s explore the potential options.
An Extremely Hot Seat
The Clippers were the betting favorites in the NBA Championship odds as they entered the second round of the playoffs. It seemed like business as usual, as LA built a commanding 3-1 lead on the Denver Nuggets. What happened next was as improbable as anything we’d seen: Denver rallied to win the next three games to eliminate the Clips, with Los Angeles blowing double-digit leads in each of the games.
— doc rivers (@DocRivers) September 28, 2020
The Clippers mortgaged their future for this current ride. While they signed 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, they dished out a mammoth amount of capital to pick up wingman Paul George from OKC.
When the dust settled, LA surrendered lottery pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, forward Danilo Gallinari, while handing over first round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026. They also gave them a pair of first round picks acquired from Miami in 2021 and 2023. For good measure, they also gave OKC the rights to swap picks with the Clippers in 2023 and 2025.
“They need to burn everything Clippers, come out with a fresh start, new team name … let all that bad history with the Clippers rest in peace.”
Listen to @Matt_Barnes22 and @DaTrillStak5 discuss what happened during the Clippers’ collapse to the Nuggets
pic.twitter.com/PKP9Ql9MWi
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) September 23, 2020
The new coach will inherit a team with neither the assets nor draft capital to bolster the roster. They also have four rotation players set to hit free agency, including NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell, Marcus Morris, JayMychal Green and Reggie Jackson.
And if that wasn’t enough, Leonard and George each have an opt-out at the end of next season. For a franchise lauded for taking a big swing and landing the premier haul to become instant contenders last year, this could literally fall apart next year.
Who Can Coach This Group?
The list of coaches set to replace Rivers are either former players or coaches with NBA coaching experience.
Rivers is widely considered a players’ coach, which isn’t a bad thing. But when a team loaded with stars and strong personalities began to unravel, Rivers’ style could never hold a group of players accountable.
For that reason, Lue tops Sam Cassell in the running because of his work with LeBron James. Lue was commended for his willingness to challenge the franchise star as they made three straight trips to the Finals, winning it all in 2016.
If another team has Tyronn Lue on the top of their coaching search list, they better move fast
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) September 28, 2020
I feel like Mike D’Antoni and Brett Brown are a little too high on this list. Brown’s attempts to meld Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Al Horford and Tobias Harris was a total fail. And D’Antoni’s teams are fun, for sure, but have never been able to break through to even one Finals’ appearance.
“I think it should be Mark Jackson. I think he would be a great replacement. He’s got the respect of players.”@Chris_Broussard reacts to Doc Rivers and the Clippers parting ways pic.twitter.com/wJk7SeWRFu
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) September 28, 2020
The real value is in the middle of the pack, where the Van Gundy’s and Mark Jackson reside. Jeff and Stan have Finals’ appearances on their resumes, and have dealt with big egos along their myriad of stops. Jackson is also itching to get back into coaching after building the framework of the Warriors, before Steve Kerr replaced him and started Golden State’s dynastic run.
What’s the Best Bet?
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and team president Lawrence Frank have little room for error here. Bring in the wrong coach, and another fizzle out could set the franchise back for years. A Finals’ appearance is probably the worst they can do, and a title has to be the expectation.
I love that Steve Ballmer has all the money in the world at his disposal, but couldn’t afford chemistry.
— UnwrittenRules (@UnwrittenRul3s) September 29, 2020
The Clips possess some of the best talent in the league, but they showed major mental flaws and team chemistry issues — in large part to their full roster being intact for less than 20 games this year. Perhaps keeping the continuity is the most important thing. Which is why Lue and Cassell are both logical choices.
However, Mike Breen’s broadcasting partners in Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are both realistic and respected voices. I think they provide great value and can handle the hot seat. I’d sprinkle a little on the side for either of those two.
The pick: Lue (+150)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV’s Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric’s work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/odds-to-be-clippers-next-head-coach-with-doc-rivers-out-tyronn-lue-and-sam-cassell-heavy-favorites/
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