feature-image
feature-image

The LA Clippers parted ways with coach Doc Rivers following last season’s playoff debacle. While it was amicable then, comments from Paul George about not being used right have made it ugly. Rivers has now responded to these comments once again and also revealed something that was unconfirmed all this time.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

During his conversation with ESPN, Rivers talked about how chemistry is important for any team to win.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said, “I think (chemistry’s) the key. You always go to Game 7 or just watch the Finals in the NBA and you see teams with great chemistry. They’re over themselves and are not worried about who’s scoring or who’s playing minutes. They’re trying to win. When you get teams like that, you win basketball games.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Doc Rivers reveals what the Clippers bench felt about Paul George

Then, while comparing it to his Clippers team, he talked about how it was the opposite. And most importantly, he gave a clear hint about how the team felt about Paul George.

He said, “From last year’s team, it didn’t have that. You can visibly see it. We had a starting group and a second group. The guys that were there the year before honestly didn’t accept at least one of the new guys. I thought they accepted Kawhi. If you don’t accept everybody then you don’t win.”

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

ADVERTISEMENT

The Athletic had reported before that the original players were unhappy because of the superstar treatment that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George received. Rivers’ comments indicate that Leonard was still accepted, but clearly, George wasn’t.

Neither did the team have the mentality to win, nor did they have the chemistry to win. This is why the Clippers failed last season, and their rivals Lakers, who had unmatchable chemistry on the floor, went on to win the title.

ADVERTISEMENT

Will George be accepted into the team now?

Despite his unimpressive performance in the playoffs, the Clippers rewarded him with a huge extension. He signed a four-year extension for a whopping $190 million. That is over $45 million a year. For that kind of money, the Clippers front office will hope the team has better chemistry this time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unless he gets traded, George is going to be here for a long time, and if players don’t accept him, they are preventing themselves from winning.

ADVERTISEMENT

ALSO READ  – Former NBA Champion Blames Clippers’ Paul George For Disappearing in ‘Big Moments’

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Aaron Mathew

1,689 Articles

Aaron Mathew is a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Mass Media from Xavier’s College, Aaron has been a part of EssentiallySports since May 2020 where he covers both NBA and NCAA basketball news, and has also covered NBA 2K. In the past, Aaron has worked at the Sports Desk of Mumbai Mirror. He has also volunteered for organisations such as 'AkshayaShakti Welfare Association' and 'Reviving The Rivers'. His favorite player is, and will always remain, Kobe Bryant.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT