Doc Rivers has been on the receiving end of criticisms after the Los Angeles Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets. But according to former NBA player Tony Allen, the team's shortcomings shouldn't be blamed on the coach alone.
Allen appeared on SiriusXM NBA Radio where he shared with Frank Isola and Mitch Lawrence his perspective on the Clippers' second-round exit. According to him, the stars — Paul George and Kawhi Leonard — simply didn't perform up to par.
Allen also pointed out that the Clippers have the best defenders in the league in George, Leonard, and Patrick Beverley. Despite this, they allowed the Nuggets to go on a scoring tear. Allen even believes that Jamal Murray — who was simply spectacular — might get a lucrative deal because of that series alone.
"You go as far as the stars go and…the stars didn't show up"
Former Forward Tony Allen tells @TheFrankIsola & @Mitch_Lawrence that all the Clippers struggles can't be blamed on his former coach Doc Rivers pic.twitter.com/uscD3i5c8c
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 30, 2020
Allen also shared what he believes was the main problem of the Clippers. Echoing the sentiments of fans and analysts, Allen believes that the fact that Leonard and George didn't spend much time on the court with their teammates was a major factor in their downfall.
To recall, the Clippers staff put their two stars under “load management” measures during the regular season. Though they didn't admit it outright, analysts believed that the Clippers were reserving George and Leonard's health and stamina for the playoffs. But in Allen's perspective, this strategy worked against the Clippers as it stifled their chemistry.
Rivers recently parted ways with the organization after seven seasons. With the offseason just around the corner, how will their heartbreaking playoff exit affect their decisions?
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