Clippers sign a 5-year extension for Doc Rivers
It's settled, Doc Rivers is staying with the LA Clippers for another five years.
It can be remembered that the Clippers franchise was under a limbo right after its sale was barred by Donald Sterling. There were a lot of talks that came out saying that if the sale won't push through, Doc Rivers will be quitting the team together with a lot of other players.
It can be remembered that NBA has banned Sterling for life as he has been found out on a recording telling his girlfriend to refrain from bringing African-American friends to games. The racist comment received an ire from NBA fans, players and heads which caused him a fine worth $2.5 million as well as an immediate push to force him into selling the Clippers. For the record, Sterling denies the allegation of him being a racist.
According to Richard Parsons "If your coach leaves, if your players don't want to play with you, what do you have? If your sponsors leave and the fans leave, it's going to spiral down and down."
But the drama has already ended and the sale happened. Now, the Clippers are moving forward form that saga and so does Rivers. The franchise is now officially owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's and his first business agenda was to give Rivers a contract extension through the 2018-19 season.
He said "Not only is Doc one of the best coaches and executives in the game, but he continually embodies the hardcore, committed and resilient character and winning culture that the Clippers represent."
Rivers was happy of the decision of the court saying "'I didn't think I was going to have to, honestly. But I think a lot of us would have been willing to, for sure."
He added "With Steve's leadership, we have this opportunity to be this great organization. That's probably what makes me the most excited because I know if you get that part right, the basketball part will become easier in some ways, and that's good."
Rivers started to join the Clippers way back in 2013. He guided the team to its best record in franchise history at 57-25 and a second straight Pacific Division title last season.
