:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13980737/20130503_jdm_sx1_059.0.jpg)
In response to reports that Chris Paul was unhappy with being linked to the firing of former coach Vinny Del Negro, Los Angeles Clippers management on Friday publicly claimed responsibility for the decision.
"The decision not to extend a contract to Vinny Del Negro was an organizational decision from the top down," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks said. "Our front office evaluated the season and Vinny's three years here before making this move, and our conclusion and feeling was that we needed a change."
"Our goal is to compete for a championship and I felt that in order for us to keep improving, we needed to make this move to help us achieve that goal," Sacks said. "With the talent we have on our roster, it's not our goal just to make the playoffs. It's our goal to compete for a championship, and we need to find the right person who can lead us there."