3. Doc Rivers is coaching like he is underqualified
Doc Rivers is a legend of the game. He has coached some really great teams in the league and he will go down as a Hall of Famer. As great of a job as he has done in the past, such as leading a surprise Clippers team to the playoffs last season, this has been a terrible display for Rivers.
The Clippers need to make adjustments in this first-round series against the Mavericks if they even want to get to a Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Lakers. The way Doc Rivers is coaching, I probably would not expect it.
There have been multiple blunders that even the most casual basketball fan can realize. Ivica Zubac has gotten very little playing time despite the Clippers being better when he is on the court, at least defensively as Harrell has been getting abused by Boban Marjanovic.
Rivers has also deployed a backcourt of Lou Williams and Reggie Jackson in key defensive situations, including leaving Jackson in the game for Luka Doncic’s electric game-winner. The Mavs did what they should have: got Jackson on Doncic and the rest is now history.
The Lakers’ gameplan was questionable at best in Game 1 but the team went out, made adjustments and have returned an even better defensive team and have been much more efficient on offense. They have been the only team in the bubble to limit the Trail Blazers.
Why? Talent and great coaching. The Clippers have the talent (albeit underperforming) but the coaching simply has not been there.
For a franchise that has repeatedly failed to get over the hump and for a head coach that does not have much playoff success outside of the two Finals runs with Boston, this is a big, big deal.