There’s a sense that Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue ranks as the “early favorite” to replace Doc Rivers‘ as L.A.’s head coach, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski expresses a similar sentiment, writing that Lue is “in a strong position” to be promoted to the Clippers’ head coaching role.
As Wojnarowski explains, Lue checks many of the boxes the Clippers are looking for as they seek a replacement for Rivers. He led the Cavaliers to multiple NBA Finals and won a championship in 2016, and understands the pressures of the job, having been constantly under the spotlight when he coached LeBron James and Cavs.
However, Woj cautions that the Clippers intend to conduct a search before making any decisions.
Lue was one of the first Clippers candidates named in the wake of Rivers’ exit from Los Angeles, along with Jeff Van Gundy, though a separate report indicated that the team didn’t have any specific replacement in mind when it elected to part ways with Rivers.
Lue interviewed with the Sixers on Tuesday, and while it appears increasingly unlikely that he’ll be Philadelphia’s top choice, he has been linked to multiple other coaching vacancies besides the 76ers’ and Clippers’ openings. He’s reportedly expected to have an informal meeting with the Pelicans on Friday and is scheduled to interview next week with the Rockets.
“I think I’m getting tired of being the early frontrunner…”
– Tyronn Lue
Lol, good one.. so who’s going to be the ex point guard who comes from nowhere to take the Clippers job?
Spud Webb!
Shaun Livingston. Nobody should turn down a HC job because they want to be a GM. Popovich proved they’re not separate tracks. Brent Barry less sure about that
He’s interviewing elsewhere,in lue of an opening
When Lue was the frontrunner for the Lakers job he was “Lebrons puppet” but of course the haters won’t say he is a puppet now that he could coach the Clippers.
He’s trying to get from out of the shadow of the great one. Be his own man. I can understand that.
No, I’ve said he was a puppet
Also questioned the ridiculous amount of media articles pushing for a new job for him too
And I still think he is a puppet now
You sound critical, like a coach should be the puppetmaster.
Anyone on the same team with LeBron is a puppet.
Harden, too.
At least LeBron rebounds and wins.
And doesn’t dribble, dribble, dribble…
so clippers have a a capable coach in sam cassell. why not give him a look. ill take him over lue.
Interesting that Lue is first often found on the bench of a coach who is fired and then winds up with his bench-mates’s job.