Clippers confirm hiring of Tyronn Lue as coach

Posted October 20, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, in Detroit. Tyronn Lue has agreed in principle to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Final terms were still being worked on, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, because no contract had been signed. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday confirmed their hiring of Tyronn Lue to replace Doc Rivers as coach.

Lue spent last season as an assistant on Rivers' staff. Rivers coached the Clippers for the last seven seasons and is now guiding the Philadelphia 76ers.

The team will introduce Lue virtually on Wednesday.

Lawrence Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, said the Clippers conducted a 'œthorough'ť search.

'œWe found that the best choice for our team was already in our building,'ť Frank said. 'œHe's one of the great minds in our league, and he's able to impart his vision to others, because he connects with everybody he meets.'ť

Lue was on the Cleveland Cavaliers' staff when he replaced the fired David Blatt during the 2015-16 season. Under Lue's guidance, the Cavs and LeBron James went on to win their first-ever NBA championship that season, making Lue one of the few rookie coaches in the league to ever lead his team to a title.

Lue, who won two NBA championships as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers, went 128-83 in parts of four seasons as Cavs coach. He coached the team to the NBA Finals in 2017 and 2018, but both times they lost to Golden State. He was fired after an 0-6 start to the 2018-19 season.

'œThe pieces we need are in place - committed ownership, smart management, and elite talent, on and off the court, in the NBA's best market,'ť Lue said. 'œMy familiarity with the organization, particularly Mr. (Steve) Ballmer and Lawrence, confirmed this is where I want to be.'ť

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FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyrone Lue directs his players against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Minneapolis. Tyronn Lue has agreed in principle to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Final terms were still being worked on, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, because no contract had been signed. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this May 27, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue hoists the trophy after beating the Boston Celtics 87-79 in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, in Boston. Tyronn Lue has agreed in principle to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Final terms were still being worked on, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, because no contract had been signed. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) The Associated Press

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