Per Bill Simmons, Vinny Del Negro is on “super-thin, could-go-any-day ice.” While Simmons is not generally known for getting “scoops,” he was the first person to break the CP3 trade news, which suggests he has a decent source inside the Clippers organization.
Here’s an interesting dilemma for Clippers fans: do we root for the Clips to lose to the Hornets tomorrow night? A third consecutive loss – to a western conference bottom feeder, at that – would put us in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs, but would also likely be the nail in VDN’s coffin. But will Dean Demopoulos or Marc Iavaroni really be capable of righting the Clippers’ ship? If either of them had any idea how to fix LAC’s porous defense or stagnant offense, I’m sure VDN would have been all ears for the past few weeks. On the other hand, they can’t possibly be worse than VDN. And to the extent that the Clippers’ woes are a function of their lack of energy, inserting a new coach – no matter who it is – could at least provide a temporary boost.
If I were in charge, I would promote Chauncey Billups to head coach.
I wonder if Nate McMillan would be willing to step in so soon after getting fired? In an interview, he mentioned wanting to “do some traveling” before throwing his hat into the ring again but, knowing him, if the Clips came calling, I’m sure he’d at least entertain the idea.
I think Nate is the right man for the job, but it would be unprecedented to make an external coaching hire this late in the season. Unfortunately, the only realistic option at this point is to promote one of the assistants and hope for some addition by subtraction.
VDN is on the hot seat, but once the Clippers turn it around he will be off. The Billups loss really through coach for a loop and now Nick Young has some big shoes to fill. I think the Clippers can pull it together before the playoffs start.