ORLANDO, Fla. -- It was another wacky day in the weird world of the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the most confounding franchises in NBA history.The Clippers fired -- or as they said, "severed ties'' -- with general manager Mike Dunleavy, and announced it during a game in which they never were competitive. In making the announcement on the team's Web site, Clipper management also blasted Dunleavy on his way out the door.
It was a game in which point guard Baron Davis -- their highest-paid player and supposed leader -- lashed out for being benched after missing a morning practice with "a stomach ailment.''
Share The players were not aware of Dunleavy's plight until after being told by interim coach Kim Hughes following the game. Hughes, who had replaced Dunleavy as coach earlier this season, also said he just had been told.
"I'm a little bit shocked that it occurred,'' Hughes said after being crushed, 113-87, by the Orlando Magic. "But I've been around basketball long enough to know that nothing should be shocking in this league anymore.''
What's not shocking is that the Clippers again have come across as a franchise in disarray, which they have been for many years. In an effort to create salary-cap space for this summer, they gutted their team and left it mostly with players in the last year of their contracts, which has spelled late-season disaster.
Team Statement: "The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy's seven-year tenure. The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective."Neil Olshey, presently the Clippers' Assistant General Manager, will assume the duties created by Dunleavy's departure."
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• More: Clippers | NBA StandingsAfter losing their fourth consecutive game -- by an average of 24 point -- the Clippers look like a sinking ship.
"It (Dunleavy's departure) is just another monkey wrench in a rollercoaster season,'' Davis said. "At this point, nothing surprises me here. It's a crazy season, but I guess it was a business decision.''
Davis also was fuming about being taken out of the starting lineup Tuesday. He missed Tuesday morning's practice, staying back at the hotel with a "stomach ailment.''
"I'm upset. I don't think it's fair,'' Davis said after the game. "If my health caused me to miss a one-hour, walk-around practice, and that determines my position on the team, then I'm not going to be happy. I didn't know I wasn't going to be able to start. I guess that is a new rule that was put in today.''
Davis had 16 points and nine assists in 26 minutes. He first entered the game midway in the first quarter.
Although he blamed his stomach issue on food he had eaten the night before, it was clear that Hughes wasn't buying his explanation.
According a Clippers source, Hughes and Davis had been at odds for some time about his attitude toward the team, and that missing practice was just the latest incident.
"He missed the shootaround with some kind of stomach ailment. I wasn't sure if he would be ready to play,'' Hughes said. "I went with the group that was there (at practice) getting ready to play.''
Most of the players were baffled by the announcement, and the timing of the Dunleavy firing. They started the season with Dunleavy as both the coach and GM. And now, he was neither. They were surprised last month when he gave up his coaching duties.
The Clippers, according to a source within the organization, are hoping to persuade LeBron James to come if he also can pick his coach, and possibly his general manager. "I wonder who made that decision?'' said All-Star center Chris Kaman. "We don't know why or anything. I think whoever made the decision to get rid of all that money (long-term contracts) did a good job of it. They left a lot of cap space for next year, and now can go after a big-time player.''
Kaman was alluding to the Clippers' plan to land one of the high-profile free agents this summer, most notably LeBron James, who they hope to lure to Los Angeles.
It's one reason the Clippers are likely to leave both their head-coaching position and the general manager position open until after the start of free agency July 1. Neil Olshey, presently the assistant general manager, will run basketball operations, until a replacement is named.
The Clippers, according to another source within the organization, are hoping to persuade James to come if he also can pick his coach, and possibly his general manager.
Aside from the franchise's reputation for one blunder after another, the Clippers will have some attractive assets to offer a free agent like James. Kaman is one of the league's best centers. Power forward Blake Griffin, who missed this season with a knee injury, is considered a sure-bet star on the rise. Davis is a former All-Star, and young guard Eric Gordon has great potential.
And there is no more attractive city in the league than Los Angeles, giving James a chance to share the spotlight with Kobe Bryant of the Lakers.
Yet Tuesday's announcement was met with considerable skepticism from around the league.
"It's hard to comment on anything another organization does because you don't know the why or how,'' said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "Now multiply that by 10 with the Clippers.''
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
The Clippers can never seem to get it together. They are lucky Eldon Brand backed out of a Monster deal last year or they would be stuck with his contract. Baron Davis looks disintersted in playing hard. It was time for Dunleavy to move on. No matter what they do they just cannot put it together.
Seriously?!?! Does anyone at fanhouse, LA or entire WORLD think that LeBron would ever seriously consider going to the Clippers?! I know money means alot, but there isn't enough of it to convince LeBron or any other LEGIT superstar to EVER consider the Clippers... Only the desperate (those trying to flee an equally hopeless franchise in Golden State - like Baron Davis) This franchise is in complete disarray! The Clippers could offer LeBron tbe first ever player-coach-GM triple role and part ownership of the team and its still wouldn't be enough?!
Don't know who's managing the Clippers, but someone has completely fooled Donald Sterling. I would love to meet the Clipper "brain-trust" who conceived this absolutely RIDICULOUS plan. LOL!!!
In addition, I would love to hear from anyone who actually "believes" LeBron could go to the Clippers... I don't believe you exist. :-)
Reminds me of the Knick fans who "believe" that LeBron will be coming to NYC next season. LOL
Practice, we're talking about practice.
If we look at the record the Clipper have stucnk ever since they left Buffalo. While originated in Buffalo as the Braves, where they spent their first seven seasons, they had THREE winning seasons during that time. How many have they had since they nmoved to San Diego and then Los Angeles? Sell the team to someone who'll move them back to Buffalo!!!!
I agree with the other post, why would Lebron James, who has it all, go to the Clippers, who have even less to offer than the sorry Knicks or Nets. Why would he go to a city where he would be mentioned second to Kobe right next door? The problem with these owners and GM's is they actually think Lebron is ALL about the money. I guess they have no clue he HAS money and will always find new money wherever he would go. Including staying right where he is now. Clippers???,,,,,LOL, what a joke. I wouldn't even suit up for that pathetic franchise. Hey Baron, how's that Holloywood gig goin?
the clippers will always live in the shadow of the lakers. move them to a city where they can assume some form of identity . one comes to mind Newark NJ> the Nets are playing two seasons there and then moving to Bklyn. leaving a new arena with no franchise. New York area once had 3 baseball teams. why not 3 basketball teams.
Dunleavy Sr will end up in Indianapolis with his son. Bird is about to fire Jim O'Brien any day now.
Could James pick an owner who isn't a huge racist?
LBJ wouldn't join the Clippers if Sterling gave him 49% ownership. Or should I say I hope he'd be smart enough to decline.
IF DUNLEAVY WERE BLACK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED LONG AGO....HOPEFULLY CLIPPERS WILL BRING IN A MAN OF COLOR TO COACH THE TEAM
What color would be best? Remember Elgin Baylor? He was G.M. for almost 20 years. He was black. Do you know about the Clippers history? Enough said.
dude, that is the most racist comment i have ever heard, and i am very offended. There are many good white coaches out there, and many good black coaches out there too.
lol it's not like cleveland has a football team. Are you serious? cleveland brown? ahahaha.
Um Baron Davis at odds with another coach what a shock. He is at odds with every coach he plays under. And why not just let Lebron be the owner while they are at it. i think Lebron would rather play for the Lakers for the minimum than play for the Clippers.
What, Baron Davis jumped from the Warriors, a team on the rise -temporarily - to the worst franchise in NBA history, one owned by the worst slum lord in Southern California, and now he's surprised they continue to be the worst franchise in NBA History? Oh, horrors! Dear Baron: for someone who seems like a bright guy, you are dumb as mud. The Clippers? You were kicking butt and the best you could do was sign with the Clippers? And oh, yeah, LeBron James is going to sign up to play in that loony bin. Just like he'll go to New York or New Jersey so he can drag a bunch of losers up and down the court. Sheeeeessssssshhhh... The enlightened world of sports journalism.
The Clips can't seriously be in the hunt for a big name free agents this summer. Their franchise is a joke, they lost good players years after years because they were too cheap to pay. I wonder what big name player in their right mind wants to play for them? It is like signing your own death sentence.
WHO CARES ABOUT THE CLIPPERS THEY NEED TO MOVE GET OUT OF L. A. I'M NOT A CLIPPER FAN AND I DON'T KNOW ONE PERSON IN L. A. WHO EVEN LIKES THEM THEY WILL ALWAYS BE A DOOR MAT FOR L. A. LOS ANGELES BACKS UP THE LAKERS IF LEBRON WOULD COME TO L.A.THAT WOULD BE TERREIBLE FOR HIM WHY WOULD HE WANT TO COME TO A BAD TEAM THAT CAN'T AND NEVER WILL WIN....
Baron Davis is the biggest premadonna in sports history I wouldn't let him play in any league! He is the winniest person to ever play the game,all he wants is his way or no way.What a loser!!!!
best move sterling did...the next move should be to get the clips out of staple...they can go to either anaheim at the honda center or ontario at citizen business bank arena...that way, they can have their own identity...lbj in lala land? not gonna happen...the probability is zero, nada, zilch...