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FIVE days after reports emerged that Tyronn Lue was finalizing a deal to become the Los Angeles Clippers head coach, the team confirmed the decision Tuesday.
While the Clippers did not announce the terms of the contract, multiple media outlets reported last week that the parties were negotiating a five-year deal. The team will present Lue at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
Most recently, Lue was the Clippers’ best assistant coach with Doc Rivers, who was fired on September 29 after Los Angeles blew a 3-1 lead and lost a second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
Lue, 43, was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers when they won the NBA championship with LeBron James in 2016. Lue posted a 128-83 record in parts of four seasons in Cleveland.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement: “Ty has been where we want to go. He is a championship head coach with an extraordinary feeling for the game and the people who play it. He is one of the great minds in our league and he can pass his vision on to others because he connects with everyone he meets.
“We ran a thorough search and spoke with fantastic candidates. We discovered that the best option for our team was already in our building. As the head coach, Ty will make a unique mark on the organization and will take us to new heights. “
Lue added in a statement: “The pieces we need are in place: committed ownership, smart management and elite talent, on and off the court, in the best market in the NBA. My familiarity with the organization, particularly (team owner Steve Ballmer) and Lawrence, confirmed that this is where I want to be.
“We have work to do to become champions, but we have the motivation, the tools and the support to get there. I’m excited to get started. “
Led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers finished second in the Western Conference in 2019-20 at 49-23, then dispatched the Dallas Mavericks in six games during the first round of the playoffs. In the second round against Denver, Los Angeles led by double digits in each of the last three games, but lost them all.
Following the Game 7 loss to the Nuggets, Clippers point guard Lou Williams stated that the team had a chemistry problem.
Lue played point guard for seven NBA teams during an 11-year career, averaging 8.5 points and 3.1 assists. He was part of the 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers championship team.
Multiple media outlets reported last week that Chauncey Billups would be Lue’s top assistant, but the Clippers did not confirm that news Tuesday. Billups had been interviewed for the head coach position.
Rivers was hired to be the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers five days after being fired by the Clippers. – Reuters
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