Grantland's Bill Simmons tweeted last night that Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro "is on super-thin, could-go-any-day ice" in Los Angeles, and a report by ESPN.com's Chris Broussard seems to corroborate that suggestion. According to Broussard, tensions are high in the Clippers' locker room, with many players believing that it's time for a change.
"Vinny has lost the team," one source told Broussard. "They don't want to play hard for him."
According to Broussard's sources, Del Negro's inconsistent rotation and his tendency to play favorites when handing out criticism are factors in the players' growing unease. After a hot start, the Clippers have gone 11-13 since Chauncey Billups' season-ending achilles injury, including 6-8 this month. Heading into tonight's action, the Clips hold just a two-game lead on ninth-place Utah.
2011/12 is the final guaranteed year on Del Negro's contract, as the Clippers hold a team option for next season.
i hope they miss the playoffs and loose cp3.
the fact the there is even a “hot seat” for vinny still surprises me. this guy has no clue how to coach or manage a team. He didnt even know Kirk Heinrichs first name, he always called him kurt. He didnt know what to do with Rose and if he stayed on I can guarantee rose never would have won the MVP….this better be his last coaching job,.