What once was the model of chaos has become the model of stablility…who knew the Clippers would stop becoming the NBA’s running joke and now become a real franchise? They took a big step in the right direction and continued to put the Sterling saga behind them. According to Yahoo Sports:
Doc Rivers’ new five-year contract to be president and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers is worth more than $50 million, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
New Clippers owner Steve Ballmer announced Rivers’ extension on Wednesday. The team replaced the remaining two years on his original three-year, $21 million deal with a new contract that runs through the 2018-19 season.
Ballmer and Rivers had been eager to forge a long-term partnership since Ballmer purchased the Clippers from the Sterling family for $2 billion.
Through the release of the Donald Sterling audio tapes that led to his banishment by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Rivers became a pivotal figure in holding together the franchise’s value and keeping the team moving forward through the crisis.
After a 57-victory regular season, the Clippers reached the Western Conference semifinals, and return a roster expected to compete for a chance to reach the NBA Finals next season. Rivers won the 2008 NBA championship as coach of the Boston Celtics, and reached the NBA Finals again in 2010.
Which is more likely? The Clippers don’t win a title under Rivers, or he gets fired before the end of the contract?
Good question but the answer to that question is neither. The new owner really likes Rivers and the Clippers are posed to win a title with in the next two years.