Lucas and I have already done a podcast giving our reaction to the news of the Doc Rivers firing, but here are the thoughts of the rest of the staff.

Erik Olsgaard:

I’m mentally torn in the same way I was torn when the Clippers traded away Blake Griffin: it’s the right move, but it’s a difficult one. Doc Rivers was more than a coach to this Clippers team; he was our general, fighting battles side-by-side on the front lines, leading us through the removal of Donald Sterling, joining us in protest against police brutality, and ultimately being at the center of the Clippers’ transformation from laughing stock to top-tier organization. So, while I agree his coaching style just wasn’t the right fit for this Clippers team, Doc will always hold a special place in the hearts of Clipper fans as a true leader that made us proud to be Clipper fans.

Steve Perrin:

It’s always easier to fire the coach than to fire the players. It (the firing) is more than unfair to Doc, when the Clippers ran plays in the 4^th quarter of Game 7 that resulted in layups and wide open threes, which they then missed – badly. He can’t actually shoot the ball for them – they have to do that part. The announcement called it mutual. Maybe it was; we might never know. But coaches matter less and less – and if the players have tuned out his voice, then sure, make a change.

(I would also say that we need to disentangle Doc “Spokesman for the NBA and eloquent voice during racially troubled times” from Doc “Coach who had a championship caliber team up 3-1”. I adore Doc and think he is an important voice in American society right now. But that’s not the same as coaching.)

Shapan Debnath:

I’ve been calling for Doc’s firing before the buzzer even rang on the Clippers season. I think it is a bold and forward thinking move to a problem that has probably been lingering even longer than I have felt. It definitely feels like it shows strength in the franchise. I will miss Doc for many reasons, but I think the Clippers are past his coaching.

Chris Murch:

I’m a sentimental guy. Doc Rivers’ presence turned the Clippers into a now yearly top-tier NBA squad instead of a perennial laughing-stock (although his repeated playoff disappointments have elicited laughter from non-Clips fans), so yes, I’m a bit sad to see him go. 

The majority of me, however, is happy to see him leave. It was starting to get annoying when us bozos on Twitter would witness his iffy tactics and substitution patterns and constantly ask “why?”. Doc Rivers refused to adapt and couldn’t corral a locker-room that had immense chemistry the year before. All good things come to an end, and while Doc was mostly great for the franchise, what happened this season was inexcusable. For that, it was time.

Adam Horowitz:

I’m really torn about the move to fire Doc. On the one hand, the playoff exit was horrendous, and clearly Doc made some questionable rotation decisions that contributed to the implosion. On the other hand, I don’t think this year’s playoffs are in any way indicative of what would’ve happened in a normal year. 

I agree with Doc that the team was just rounding into form when the season was interrupted. And in my opinion, it’s no coincidence that the two biggest bubble disappointments were also the two teams most adversely impacted—the Bucks with Kenosha and their subsequent leading of the players’ strike, and the Clippers with their rash of family deaths that led to lengthy quarantines and the team having no chance to play together and get in rhythm before the start of the playoffs.

To me the bottom line will be who is chosen as his replacement. Despite his obvious flaws, I still think Doc is in the upper tier of NBA coaches, and the team as currently constructed would be capable of winning a title with him at the helm. But if they end up finding an innovative coach whose schemes can get them to play up to the level of their talent on the defensive end, then it will have been the right move.

Cole Huff:

I was a bit surprised to learn of Doc’s departing from the team simply because I didn’t think it would happen. However, now that it has happened, I’m not shocked at all. Steve Ballmer is here to win championships, and he’s willing to go to any length in order to do so. I think we all can agree that we will forever appreciate everything Doc has done for this franchise, and that we wish him nothing but the best going forward. But it was time.

Robert Flom:

I was surprised by the news, as everything we had heard previously (from national and local reporters) was that Doc was not going anywhere. However, the decision, while a risky one, is probably the correct call. Doc clearly had trouble reaching the team this year, as their complacency and lack of chemistry showed, and articles that have been written since then (by Jovan Buha of the Athletic and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN) have expounded upon. And there is really no question among anyone that his coaching performance in the playoffs was disastrous, an absolutely fire-worthy offense.

The question, of course, is who will replace Doc, a legitimate franchise and NBA legend. Doc had his weaknesses, but he’s also a proven quantity. Will the Clippers go with someone else who’s well-known (Tyronn Lue, Jeff Van Gundy), or tap a first-time head coach with more potential upside and innovation but also more risk? This will be Steve Ballmer’s first coaching search, and I’m excited to see the result. And, of course, best wishes to Doc, someone who belongs in the conversation with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Ballmer himself as a crucial figure in the franchise’s transformation from laughingstock to legitimacy.

Well, now that you’ve seen the reaction of our staff to the Doc Rivers firing, what are your thoughts now that we’ve had a day or two to process the news? Let us know in the comments below!

213Hoops Roundtable: Reaction to Doc Rivers Firing
Robert Flom

Lucas and Rob scrambled back to their microphones on short notice after yesterday’s new episode to discuss the surprising firing of Doc Rivers, considering his legacy with the team and possible candidates to replace him as the next head coach of the LA Clippers.

Check out the pod here! Be sure to give us 5 star ratings and reviews on whatever platform you listen to us on, and provide feedback on the firing of Doc Rivers and the potential new coaches for the Clippers in the comments below.

213Hoops is an independently owned and operated L.A. Clippers blog by Clippers fans, for Clippers fans. If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our Patreon. Subscriptions start at $1 a month and support from readers like you goes a long way towards helping us keep 213Hoops sustainable, growing, and thriving.

TLTJTP: Reaction to Clippers Firing Doc Rivers
Robert Flom

With players opting out and injuries, everyone in the bubble has had to tweak their lineups and rotations. The Los Angeles Clippers are no exception to this, but it’s also a familiar concept to them. They have load managed Kawhi Leonard’s minutes throughout the season and in the bubble have had to endure the absences of key guys like Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, and Montrezl Harrell. Doc Rivers has had to get creative with all of his lineups, and with the Clippers locked into a top seed in the Western Conference, he has had room to experiment. With a deep bench combined with two superstars in Leonard and Paul George who can play multiple positions, LA has options. With their first-round clash against the Dallas Mavericks on the horizon, the time is now for the Clippers to trot out their better lineups. The eight bubble games gave the coaching staff some time to figure out what works and which combinations do not. 

For this piece, I looked at three specific lineups for the Clippers based on the data provided by the NBA’s stats website. Two of them will be crucial lineups. The Clippers may use them to start games and may use them in crunch time as well. The third and final lineup is one that might not have been the best or seldom-used, yet it caught the eye. It could be a unique combination of players that offers something different to the Clippers.

(Note: when looking at all of the lineups played by the Clippers, I filtered out the ones who played less than 30 combined minutes together) 

Best Lineup 1

Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac

This lineup is one of the more obvious ones you could list for the Clippers. Rivers started this lineup against Phoenix earlier this month and it is one he continually goes back to. With Morris at the four, the Clippers can stretch out the floor on offense while also giving some switchability on defense. With Beverley, George, and Leonard they have a trio of elite perimeter defenders who you don’t have to worry about when matched up in isolation situations. They also work extremely hard off the ball in order not to get caught off guard if their man cuts past them or receives the ball. 

LA also will not be sacrificing on the glass either with Zubac there to clean up any misses. He currently leads the Clippers in rebounds per game and also can help generate second-chance points with an average of nearly three offensive boards per game. His size will also help when it comes to protecting the rim. With four guys who all can play on the perimeter, Zubac is the only real big in the lineup. He will be there as the last line of defense if opponents come crashing into the lane. 

Offensively, the Clippers would still have both George and Leonard to draw the attention of defenses. Morris would be there as a kick out option but can also hit a jumper off the dribble at times. His efficiency has been around average (52.3 true shooting percentage) so finding him good open looks should be the criteria if he’s in this lineup. The offensive game plan here is simple: with two creators already on the court, the rest of the three will slide to secondary roles. 

It’s a group that Doc Rivers has gone to plenty throughout the year. Their 147 minutes together is second most amongst 5-man lineups and although they’ve only featured in 11 games, it’s been effective. This lineup has the 5th highest net rating at 22.9 (121.9 ORtg, 99 DRtg) with an above-average efficiency shooting rate as well (59.8 TS%). 

With four of their penciled in starters in this lineup along with the scoring potential that Morris brings, this could be a solid lineup for the Clippers to rely on moving forward. They can shut down people on one end and put up points on the other. 

Best Lineup 2

Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Montrezl Harrell

This combination is the one that puts all five of the Clippers best players on the court. With Williams and Beverley you have two polar opposite point guards who fit well together. One, Williams, is a scorer who can catch fire at any time. His ball-handling and ability to get defenders in the air is troubling for any opponent. He’s been one of the best off the bench scorers this past decade, and if for some reason neither of LA’s superstars take the last shot of a game, he is always an option. Williams gives LA three guys on the floor who can shoot effectively off the dribble. It’s good offensive versatility to have and can be used to exploit weaknesses of a defense. 

The other part of the backcourt is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. Beverley will get into the grill of the opponent’s best guard and hound them the entire time he is on the court. He gives a spark to the Clippers and brings a toughness that is welcomed. On defensive possessions late in the game, he feels like a lock-in any lineup. His three-point shooting is decent enough to where he can knock down a jumper if left open. Beverley shoots 38.8 percent from three and defenses can’t treat him as a non-factor. 

Harrell brings a slightly different dynamic then Zubac. While he may not be as stout defensively, Harrell does bring a lot of positives on offense. He’s an excellent rim runner and is a major threat going to the hoop in the pick and roll. But similar to Zubac, Harrell does offer them a solid option inside the paint. If there are mismatches in the post then the Clippers can throw it into Harrell who has impressive shooting numbers from that range. 

Statistically, this group hasn’t played as much as others. This could partly be due to how situational this combination could be (it could be a potential crunch time/game-closing lineup). They are eighth in minutes played (56) and 10th in net rating. While they have an exceptional defensive rating of 84.4, small sample aside, their offense isn’t where you’d expect it to be with this group. Their offensive net rating is at 98.4, the second-lowest of any lineup that played more than 50 minutes together. They shot around average from the field (51.9 TS%) but in crunch time, possessions are going to be limited and the Clippers have shown they are still able to come up with a bucket when needed. 

Like with the first lineup, LA has two superstars on the court along with guys who play a sizable chunk of minutes each game. If the game is on the line, it should be reasonable to expect these five to be trotted out on the floor to get the job done. That poor offensive rating seems like a fluke – this lineup is absolutely stacked on that end, and should be able to score against any opponent.

The Interesting Lineup

Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Landry Shamet, Kawhi Leonard, Montrezl Harrell

Now, this lineup brings in a new player with different skill sets. Shamet offers the Clippers another guard ball-handling option on the floor and can get the Clippers into their designed actions. Like George, the Clippers with this group have a guy who they can run off screens. Whether it’s for three-point attempts or as a decoy to get defenses reacting one way, LA has the option to use him in this role. Among Clippers who are involved in coming off screens, Shamet is second in points per possession (1.26) and eFG percentage (62.7). While it’s true that his frequency for this play type is half as much as George, in the minutes he plays, it’s good to have this idea in your back pocket.

Shamet isn’t going to be the first option when Leonard or George is on the floor, but he can be used to generate looks. His shooting could be valuable for when defenses collapse in on Leonard or Williams. Shamet is knocking down 37.5 percent of his attempts from three and has an overall true shooting percentage of 58. He has had some rough games in the bubble, particularly on defense, but also has shown potential to be a solid player in the right lineups. 

The most intriguing part is with the three guards, with LA only having one real forward out there in Leonard. Kawhi would be the main man offensively with Lou Will being the second primary scorer. The rest of the guys will be there for secondary chances or used as a relief outlet when defenders rotate over to help out on the main guys. There will be plenty for everyone. Harrell will also be there for putbacks or dump-offs in the lane. 

You have to wonder about the defense with this lineup given the struggles of three of the guys on the court (Williams, Shamet, Harrell). Against a stretch big, the Clippers could leak points on this end of the court. With the previous lineup, there was George on the perimeter. Shamet is not a like for like replacement at all despite him playing the three in this scenario. This could be a decent lineup for LA when George needs a rest: it’s smart to stagger the minutes of your two superstars, and Landry can at last somewhat fill that role offensively. It is worth acknowledging the risks that do come along with it. 

The numbers, however, seem to tell a different story. They currently have an offensive rating of 118.6 and on defense, it’s at 77.5 (!). This leaves them with a net rating of 41.1, second highest of any Clippers lineup that has played more than 30 minutes together. The one caveat here is that this lineup has only played 36 total minutes together, barely clearing that limit. 

The numbers of minutes played together are a bit small, and the recent struggles of Shamet along with Beverley still getting into the swing of things don’t help. But this is a group worth watching out for and their numbers do seem to help reduce the worries this lineup brings on paper. It might not be one they play much when the Mavericks have Kristaps Porzingis on the court but it could in play in other situations against Dallas and hopefully moving forward for LA. 

A Look at Some Important Clippers Lineups
Vijay Vemu

The last Clipper not in the bubble, Montrezl Harrell, lost his grandmother a couple nights ago, and Doc Rivers discussed his potential return to Orlando before the Pelicans game yesterday.

Doc’s response is worth quoting in full, because it’s very powerful and heartfelt:

When he’s ready, he’ll come back. You can’t play if you’re not right mentally and because of the emotional part of it. … His grandmother is very tight with him so all I told him is I love him and take your time. We’ll be ready with open arms when you come.

That’s really the perfect answer. Montrezl is grieving right now, as anyone would be, and his closeness with his grandmother makes it all the more difficult. He needs to spend time with his family (or as much as is possible with the COVID restrictions), grieve in peace, and recover mentally. There is no timeline for Trez to return, nor should there be. However, many athletes, when grieving, like to throw themselves into their work, to take their mind off things (think Isaiah Thomas in the 2017 playoffs after losing his sister). It could be the same for Trez. The bottom line is this: when Montrezl Harrell wants to return to Orlando, he will return, and he will have the full support from the Clippers the whole way.

In the meantime, the Clippers are slowly starting to get healthy. Lou Williams should be ready to play either against the Suns, or certainly against the Mavs. While he will miss his pick and roll partner Trez, Lou will be a much-welcome addition to a bench unit that has had shaky firepower (to be charitable) in the first two seeding games. Whenever Lou comes back, Trez will be the last Clipper not in Orlando and with the team.

Our condolences once again to Montrezl Harrell and his family on the loss of his grandmother.

Doc Discussed Montrezl Harrell’s Return to Orlando
Robert Flom

Lucas Hann and Robert Flom of 213Hoops are joined by special guest Dave DuFour of the Athletic to deliver a wide-ranging preview of the Clippers-Lakers seeding game. In the process, they delve into matchups, rotations, coaching strategies, and anything else that might play into a potential seven-game playoff series between the two powerhouses.

Check out the podcast here! In addition, subscribe to the pod on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. While you’re here, check out the Same Old Clips episode that we recorded two days ago on the Lou Williams incident.

Be sure to give us a 5 star rating on the podcast listening platform of your choice, and leave us a review if you’re feeling particularly generous. In addition, provide any kind of feedback, both positive and negative, so that we can continue improving the pod!

213Hoops is an independently owned and operated L.A. Clippers blog by Clippers fans, for Clippers fans. If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our Patreon. Subscriptions start at $1 a month and support from readers like you goes a long way towards helping us keep 213Hoops sustainable, growing, and thriving.

TLTJTP: Lakers Game Preview & Playoff Discussion
Robert Flom

The Clippers held a press conference earlier today at which head coach Doc Rivers spoke at great length. Among the topics discussed – the upcoming NBA restart in Orlando in late July and the Clippers’ status.

Doc said that “as of now” no Clippers are opting out, and that “all indications” are that Lou Williams will opt in and play in Orlando.

This is ultimately not a surprise. While players like Montrezl Harrell and Marcus Morris are free agents this summer and could theoretically lose money via poor performance, injury, or sickness, they also could increase their earnings with a strong showing. Lou Williams has been the most hesitant, speaking out numerous times regarding his various doubts about the re-opening, but it has always been likely that he would play.

The Clippers are one of the three top contenders for the NBA championship, and for a veteran-laden team that (barring Kawhi Leonard) lacks rings, the opportunity of passing up a good shot at a championship was always going to be exceptionally difficult to pass on. Add to that the camaraderie the Clippers have built and the potential feeling of letting teammates down by not showing up (right or wrong), and it was always predicted that the Clippers would have full attendance.

Now, things could still change in the intervening weeks. Cases are rising, skepticism is growing, and the social protests that have been at the forefront of many NBA players’ minds aren’t going anywhere. However, barring any new developments, it seems like the Clippers will bring their entire squad to Orlando to compete for their first NBA championship.

Right Now, No Clippers Appear to be Opting Out of Orlando
Robert Flom

Basic Information

Name: Derrick Walton Jr.

Age: 25

Years in NBA: 1

Position: Point Guard

Key Stats: 2.2 points, 0.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.2 steals in 9.7 minutes per game on 47.2/42.9/77.8 shooting splits.

2019-2020 Salary: $1,445,697

Summary

Derrick Walton Jr. joined the Clippers in the 2019 NBA Summer League, where he quickly earned a role as a key contributor due to his steady play and shooting ability. While he didn’t have the impressive stats of Clippers’ rookie Terrance Mann, his ability to control the pace of play as a lead guard while also shifting off ball seemed transferable to the NBA. The Clippers agreed, and signed him to a training camp deal shortly thereafter. He was the only camp invitee (not on a regular NBA contract) who received real playing time, making it all the way through camp and onto the regular season roster.

Walton only played in a few games in garbage time during the first couple months of the season, but was pressed into the rotation in early December due to injuries and the failures of Jerome Robinson and Mann. He only gained more minutes, culminating in a back-to-back stretch in mid-December when he played a combined 60 minutes. While he rarely put up big stat lines, the team regularly played better when he was in the game, and there were several games where he legitimately helped the Clippers pull out victories. Doc Rivers and the Clippers’ veterans clearly trusted him, which earned Walton some endgame minutes even when the team had more established players ahead of him.

Walton then faded from the rotation a bit as the Clippers got healthy, although he returned briefly around New Year when injuries spiked. After January 4^th, he returned to garbage time duties and the end of the bench, sitting out his last half dozen games as a Clip entirely. Then, on February 6^th, he was traded to Atlanta for a heavily protected future 2^nd round pick, in anticipation for the Clippers’ deadline moves. He was waived by the Hawks, but then signed a 10 day with the Pistons, and played in several games with them before the NBA season was postponed by Coronavirus.

Strengths

Derrick’s greatest strength is that he rarely ever makes mistakes. He’s a very smart basketball player on both ends of the court, constantly in the right place at the right time. On offense, he’s fully capable of getting an NBA team into sets, controlling the flow of action and making sure the team is calm and running their plays. Similarly, he’s very sure handed, rarely turning the ball over (he boasted a 5:1 assist to turnover ratio on the Clips), a huge advantage for any player, but especially for a point guard. Off the ball, he’s a legitimate three-point shooter that defenses must respect, and is comfortable playing off-ball alongside other ball-handlers. While not someone who looks for his shot, he can also create a bit, especially in the midrange off of pick and rolls.

On defense, he’s a tenacious battler who plays up on opposing ball-handlers for the full 94 feet, and keeps offensive players on their toes. More importantly, he’s an intelligent team defender, rotating correctly within the defensive scheme to take away open shots and forcing the offense to struggle. Despite his lack of size, he’s also a terrific rebounder, utilizing his basketball instincts to beat other players to the ball. Finally, Walton brings the intangibles – he never stops moving, dives on the floor for loose balls, and communicates frequently with teammates.

Weaknesses

Walton’s primary weakness is that he’s not really much of an offensive threat with the ball in his hands. Small and lacking athleticism, Walton can’t get to the rim very well against a set defense, and has real issues finishing around the basket. When teams need a basket, he’s not a guy who can consistently get one. His struggles with creating and getting to the bucket also limits his playmaking – while he doesn’t turn the ball over and makes smart passes, he also doesn’t create many easy looks for his teammates. Defensively, while he is a pest and plays smart, his size limitations mean he can only guard point guards and is frequently at a size disadvantage even at that position. While steady, he has no significant strengths outside of that very consistency.

Future with Clippers

The Clippers (including top players such as Lou Williams and Paul George, as well as Coach Doc Rivers) had nothing but glowing things to say about Walton. His professionalism, readiness for every game, and ability to play alongside all kinds of players were notable, and he’s not someone who will cause waves for lack of playing time. In short, he’s a perfect end of the bench player, a 13^th man who can step in and play in the rotation in short steps when called upon, and will rarely make a coach regret giving him playing time. Hopefully he’s able to stick around the NBA for a while, and it would not be shocking at all for him to come back to LA sometime in the future.

2019-2020 LA Clippers Exit Interviews: Derrick Walton Jr.
Robert Flom