The Los Angeles Clippers are in a tough spot after letting coach Vinny Del Negro go, as owner Donald Sterling hinted in an interview that Chris Paul might be to blame for that move and that has the point guard furious at the organization.
According to ESPN.com, sources said that Paul is angry that Sterling said or implied that he had to do with the firing of Del Negro, as he is a "man of principle" and that he had nothing to do with the move. Sterling has not always been known as the smartest or most player friendly owner in the NBA (between Elton Brand, Mike Dunleavy and the racist issues at his company as seen here and here) and now that might come back to bite the team in the behind.
Paul is currently weighing his options and while he enjoys playing in LA with Blake Griffin, the most recent developments could force him to change things up and leave after all. The Clippers feel that signing Paul is the biggest priority for the team, but if Sterling continues to push him away, there is a chance that he could decide to peace out of the Staples Center and head elsewhere. Paul helped lead the team to a record amount of wins and a division title, but after losing a 2-0 lead to the Grizzlies in the playoffs, he may feel it's time to move on instead. Paul could surprise everyone and head to Houston or New York or another city and even if he didn't like Del Negro, he seems very mad that he was implicated in the decision.
Paul originally was traded to the Lakers, but after the NBA knocked down that trade, he was sent to the Clippers and that was a huge gift for Sterling, as he had the chance to outshine the Lakers for the past two seasons as they dealt with their issues. Now Sterling may be the reason that all the goodwill towards the Clippers and Paul is gone. While the team is looking for a star coach with names like Lionel Hollins, Jeff Van Gundy and others, it may be too late after blaming Paul and other star players for the Del Negro move.
