How long will Del Negro last?

How long will Del Negro last?
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Vinny Del Negro | Clippers
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Since his first head coaching job with the Bulls and so far during his tenure with the Clippers, Vinny Del Negro hasn't exactly garnered the most sterling reputation.

And with an influx of talent centered around Chris Paul this season, Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated describes his situation as such: "Suddenly, and willingly, he is on the best kind of hot seat, having been given the sort of talent that makes his job both easier and harder in the final guaranteed season of his contract."

ESPN's John Hollinger and Chad Ford touched on Del Negro on Wednesday, and neither see him as a long-term fit.

Which could mean the Clippers may be looking for a new coach this summer -- if not sooner.

-- Ryan Corazza

ESPN's John Hollinger
Del Negro may not be the guy for Clippers
"Which leads us back to the ringleader, Vinny Del Negro. The fact that the Chicago Bulls improved dramatically immediately after replacing him can be seen as both good news and bad news for Clippers fans, given that he's in the last year of his contract. But if somebody is going to make this jumble into something more than the sum of its McNugget-esque parts, Vinny doesn't seem to be the guy. When Paul isn't on the court to run pick-and-roll on every trip, the offense is a disorganized mess; even when CP3 plays, it's baffling why Griffin is doing so much pick-and-pop and so little rolling to the rim. Offense aside, every night produces its own strategic head-scratcher. On Tuesday, for instance, the Clippers went a two-minute stretch of the second quarter with a quintet of Courtney Fortson, Travis Leslie, Trey Thompkins, Gomes and Evans. Yes, it's a back-to-back-to-back and guys were missing, but having at least one player on the court capable of making a basket seems relatively important. This looked like a failure to have a plan coming in. Finally, there's the defense -- the area where the Bulls improved so dramatically post-Vinny, and the area where the Clippers don't seem to be making much progress. L.A. is below average in each of Dean Oliver's 'four factors,' with a No. 27 rank in opponent free throw rate underscoring their mistake-prone-ness."

ESPN's Chad Ford
Clippers need to get rid of Del Negro
"If the Clippers don't fire Vinny Del Negro soon ... I think that says all you need to know about whether the Clippers are serious about becoming a real contender."

4 months ago DocD 30 comments 0 recs |

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Supposedly Vinny's strength is motivation

CP or not, we have enough talent to beat Twolves and Raps at home (and i still think we can beat Mavs tonight), but if he can’t motivate this group to beat those teams, he’s gotta go. Im sure Larry Brown would love to reunite with Clips.

by cassellmania on Jan 18, 2012 12:51 PM PST reply actions

agreed, which makes VDN a great asset as an Asst. Coach

think John Lucas during the CMDsr days

Ralph, "Last year so often with Blake Griffin you would see these things coming, with Paul, he's so crafty, all of a sudden boom there it is."

by KidJustin on Jan 18, 2012 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

If the Clippers don't fire Vinny Del Negro soon...

Chris Paul will be walking after his 2 years; and Griffin will follow.

by SurfinQ00 on Jan 18, 2012 12:59 PM PST reply actions

doubt it.

Ralph, "Last year so often with Blake Griffin you would see these things coming, with Paul, he's so crafty, all of a sudden boom there it is."

by KidJustin on Jan 18, 2012 1:11 PM PST up reply actions

" I don't just want to win, I NEED to win"

I don’t see Clippers winning that much with Vinny Del Negro. I think that statement goes for both CP3 and VDN, VDN just has less time to do it.

by SurfinQ00 on Jan 18, 2012 3:42 PM PST up reply actions

i'm on the fence of this continual comparison with the Bulls during and post VDN

is it really how bad VDN is?
or is it a combination of DRose maturing and how great Tibbs is as a coach?

i believe its a combination of both….but more the latter than anything

Ralph, "Last year so often with Blake Griffin you would see these things coming, with Paul, he's so crafty, all of a sudden boom there it is."

by KidJustin on Jan 18, 2012 1:18 PM PST reply actions

they also got boozer during tibbs first year, though i think he was injured part of it.

by hans007 on Jan 18, 2012 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

Boozer played subpar basketball and he was also injured.

I agree D-Rose did mature, but you don’t make huge strides in one year like that. That kind of growth is extraordinary.

by SurfinQ00 on Jan 18, 2012 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

i think the clips replace him

But it will be in the offseason. He’s clearly over his head as a nba head coach. I’ve never seen a Clips game the last two seasons and gone wow the Clips are a well coached team. I get that impression from some teams, never with the Clippers since the 2005-2006 season.

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Jan 18, 2012 1:32 PM PST via mobile reply actions

ya VDN is much of a head coach, could be a solid assistant tho

Max McCarthy

by Swagmeister33 on Jan 18, 2012 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

not*

Max McCarthy

by Swagmeister33 on Jan 18, 2012 1:54 PM PST up reply actions

i gotta say dunleavy sr , at least was a respectable coach. he got guys like sam cassell to play somewhat decent defense.

and sam cassell was not known for that, but he wasnt getting lit up. and kaman was pretty under control and figured out how to be a shot blocker that playoff year

by hans007 on Jan 18, 2012 1:54 PM PST up reply actions

Sure you don't mean 1992-1993?

Even in Dunleavy’s best season, he was regularly out-coached. He had his strengths, but also plenty of weaknesses. For my money, Larry Brown was the only above-average coach the team has ever had.

Proudly enduring the pain since the days of Bill Walton's foot.
Now living the good life in Lob City, CA.

by boltsfan21 on Jan 18, 2012 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

So True

For my money, Larry Brown was the only above-average coach the team has ever had.

And now with the Clippers procuring top talent we need a top talent coach. Please hire Larry Brown.

by wilriv21 on Jan 18, 2012 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

please dont

He’ll dismantle this team to his liking, eviscersting us and our chances at sustaining a franchise once he leaves in two years.

Energy * Focus * No Excuses
"For [Griffin] getting in the way of Andre Miller’s 40 yard dash?" -S. Perrin

by Takebb909 on Jan 18, 2012 3:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

he would be the coach not the GM

by wilriv21 on Jan 18, 2012 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

Uh NO

That would be the wrong move. See his last 3 NBA stops, all ended in acrimony.

MDSr was a good coach! Who knows how things we have been had Blake not blown out his knee.

"After the first six minutes I was heavily winded"-Andrew Bynum

by oasisman on Jan 18, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions

thought Mr Sterling and LB were always cordial

by wilriv21 on Jan 18, 2012 3:48 PM PST up reply actions

last 3 Stops

Detroit, NYK, Charlotte.

"After the first six minutes I was heavily winded"-Andrew Bynum

by oasisman on Jan 18, 2012 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

Brown has about a 2 year shelf life with his players

before he burns them out. Most players end up not liking to play for him and his abrasive personality. I could see key players like CP3 or Blake hitting the highway rather than play for him for any length of time. With that being said, he may have the best basketball mind (NBA) out there along with Hubie Brown and Pops. He is responsible for helping Chauncey turn from a first round bust to an All Star at Detroit.

"Great Balls Of Fire, Reggie's Back!"

by PV Mike on Jan 18, 2012 5:39 PM PST up reply actions