The Los Angeles Clippers officially introduced coach Doc Rivers as their new head coach and senior vice president of basketball operations on Wednesday during a press conference held at the team's training facility in Playa Vista, California. Los Angeles is coming off their most successful season in franchise history and hopes the former NBA champion propels them from first-time division winner to proverbial contender.
"This is truly one of the biggest moments in Clipper history," team vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks said. "We feel [Rivers] is the best coach in the NBA and a perfect fit for this organization. Doc is a championship coach who brings a unique basketball mind to our team and to our organization. I think that he has not only the respect of everyone in our organization but all of our players and staff."
As compensation, the Celtics will receive the Clippers' 2015 first-round draft pick for allowing Rivers out of his contract. Rivers was under contract with Boston for three more years.
The Clippers and Rivers have agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal. After two weeks of ongoing talks, the Clippers finally did enough to sway the former Celtics coach away from his old team. Rivers replaces former Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro, who was unceremoniously fired in May after an opening round NBA Playoffs series loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
"This was a strange ordeal over the last couple of weeks to the point, as you can see my attire, I don't have any suits because they're all in Boston right now," Rivers said. "I flew in from Orlando. That's where I stay in the offseason, and I basically wear shorts and a T-shirt for the whole summer."
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