Clippers considering Del Negro

[Andrew]

Along with Dwayne Casey.

Former Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro dined with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and front-office executives on Tuesday night to discuss the team’s coaching vacancy, sources with knowledge of the meeting told Yahoo! Sports.

Dallas Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey, who interviewed with the Clippers on Monday, and Del Negro appear to be the top two candidates for the job. Sources said a decision could be made soon.

Good for VDN if he can get another job this quickly, as much as it was time for the Bulls to make a change and his performance was frustrating at times he was, from all accounts, a true professional even when PaxMan were not. I'll stop short of saying it's a great hiring for the Clippers but then I suppose there isn't a coach in history that could lead the current Clippers squad from basement to contention in the space of a year.

[Axel The Great]

Not unless they sign a top notch FA, like LeBron or Bosh, and with Blake Griffin back, that's a team that can really take it to the top teams in the NBA.

[koberulz]

I suppose there isn't a coach in history that could lead the current Clippers squad from basement to contention ever.

Corrected.

[Kenny]

Neither the Clips or Del Negro really have much to lose here. If Del Negro gets them to the playoffs, he'll be a hero; otherwise it's just another fail season for the Clippers... nothing too out of the usual. I hope the team I adopted in California does a bit better this year though.

[NovU]

What are the strengths of VDN? Is he good at developing young prospects? I think with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, that is the key for VDN's success as a coach in LA.

[Patr1ck]

Ironically, I hired both of those coaches in consecutive seasons in 2K10 after firing Dunleavy.

[Andrew]

I suppose there isn't a coach in history that could lead the current Clippers squad from basement to contention ever.

Corrected.

Fair call.

[Axel The Great]

That's coming from a Lakers fan Andrew.

[Kenny]

He may be a Lakers fan, but he's on the money. The Clippers have been an ordinary franchise since the start.

[Sauru]

if the clippers ever want to be anything they need to leave LA

[Kenny]

Agreed; it's disturbing to see how much of an after thought they are in california. I went to a few sports shops asking for Clippers gear and all too often they'd say "we have Lakers stuff"... Enfuriating.

[Lamrock]

If the Clippers want to be anything, they need to be managed well.

[Axel The Great]

He may be a Lakers fan, but he's on the money. The Clippers have been an ordinary franchise since the start.

4 winning seasons in the last what, 30 years? I really don't know what's the point in having two teams from the same league in the same city.

[Sauru]

If the Clippers want to be anything, they need to be managed well.

and leave LA

[Patr1ck]

Being in Los Angeles is the reason they are still an organization. Laker haters default to being Clipper fans in LA. On top of that, Sterling knows how to turn a profit with all those losing seasons. He just doesn't know how to attract a good clientele of staff and players and commit to them. Del Negro or Casey won't change anything.

[NovU]

Poor Clippers. Come to Vancouver, we'll luv ya here, but can't guarantee a profit.

[George7]

Maybe go to Seattle.This city really needs a team again

[Patr1ck]

Either city would love to have a franchise, but would Sterling be able to make money with losing teams like he can in LA? Maybe for a couple of seasons, but when the hype wears off, they will have to win.

[Static]

Exactly. Los Angeles and New York are the only places where such terrible teams can still remain financially successful.

[air gordon]

What are the strengths of VDN? Is he good at developing young prospects? I think with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, that is the key for VDN's success as a coach in LA.

that is a good question. when VDN was hired, Paxson was said his biggest strengths were strong ability to lead, communicate and bring a fresh, energized approach"

this is the same guy who would sit Rose late in games because he thought it would give the team the best chance to win



there is word that VDN hired headhunters to help him prepare him for his interview w/the bulls a few years back. at least he was smart in that aspect

[Andrew]

Looks like it's a done deal.

[Patr1ck]

Ohhhh!! That'll Lure Lebron!

I'd like to apologize in advance to Del Negro. It will take his career a couple years to recover after he succumbs to Clipperitis.

Not much I can say other than he's bound to be better than Hughes. Maybe Andrew can give me more insight into what kind of coach he is.

[Andrew]

I'd have to defer to air gordon on that one as he sees more Bulls games than I do, but from the ones I watched last year I'd have to agree with AG's previous critiques.

[air gordon]

anyone else shocked that VDN is already back in the league.. as a head coach??!!!

i sure as hell would like to know the terms of the contract- length & amount

[Andrew]

A little, but there's no accounting for Clipper logic.