Doc Rivers rips ESPN writer for DeAndre Jordan article he didn’t read
By Sam Richmond
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers slammed ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh for his article about DeAndre Jordan. The problem: Rivers hadn’t read the piece.
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers really wants DeAndre Jordan to win Defensive Player of the Year honors. He’s campaigned so hard for Jordan that it wouldn’t be all that surprising at this point if he got on his knees at an upcoming press conference and begged media members to vote Jordan’s way.
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Rivers’ pushing of Jordan for DPOY reached a new level on Friday when the Clippers coach eviscerated ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh for an article he published making the case that the Los Angeles center doesn’t deserve the honor.
Here’s what Rivers had to say:
Doc Rivers wasn't happy about @tomhaberstroh article saying DeAndre Jordan is not the defensive player of the year, saying he took offense.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
Doc Rivers on article: "He didn’t mention rebounding. How the hell can you not mention rebounding in defense?"
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
Doc Rivers continued: "Rebounding is maybe the No. 1 thing about defense because you have to get the rebound to stop the other [team]."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
Doc:"The other thing he said was there wasn't a lot of use, a lot of guys aren’t driving. Exactly! They’re not driving because D.J. is there
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
Doc: "Ask Dallas tonight if D.J.’s a good defensive player. I think the last time we played, Rick Carlisle used the word Wilt Chamberlain."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
If you’ve read Haberstroh’s article, you’re surely finding Rivers’ comments strange.
Literally 250 words on it. RT @latbbolch: Doc on article: "He didn’t mention rebounding. How the hell can you not mention rebounding in D?"
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) March 13, 2015
Not only does Haberstoh’s article have a full section about rebounding, but all of the writer’s claims are backed up by facts. It’s not as if Haberstroh has some vendetta against Jordan to the point where one should be offended on the center’s behalf. No one that actually reads the article could think otherwise.
Which brings us to the crux of this issue: Rivers didn’t read the piece.
Doc Rivers admitted he had not read story by @tomhaberstroh and was fed excerpts by the team's PR staff.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 13, 2015
Face, meet palm.
Rivers might want to stay quiet for a bit following this debacle, because this is downright embarrassing for him.
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