The Clippers were expected to contend for a championship this season, but they were upset in the second round of the playoffs as their big-name stars struggled.
After a disappointing playoff run for the Los Angeles Clippers, Doc Rivers is no longer the head coach of the team, he said Monday. “Thank you Clipper Nation for allowing me to be your coach and all your support in helping making this a winning franchise,” Rivers said in a statement posted on Twitter. “When I took this job, my goals were to make this a winning basketball program, a free agent destination, and bring a championship to this organization. “While I was able to accomplish most of my goals, I won’t be able to see them all through.” A statement from the team referred to parting with Rivers as “a mutual decision.” Steve Ballmer, the Clippers’ owner, said he was “immeasurably grateful” to Rivers. “Doc has been a terrific coach for the Clippers, an incredible ambassador, and a pillar of strength during tumultuous times,” Ballmer said. “He won a heck of a lot of games and laid a foundation for this franchise.” The Clippers, who have never made it to the conference finals in the playoffs, entered the season with arguably their best roster ever, stretching back to the 1970-71 season when they were known as the Buffalo Braves.
