Fansided

Doc Rivers fires back at Mark Cuban

By Bryan Arnott

May 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers at press conference before game four of the second round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers at press conference before game four of the second round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers didn’t take kindly to Mark Cuban’s comments – he promptly fired back with some of his own.

The drama over DeAndre Jordan’s free agency destination still has yet to settle. Doc Rivers responded with some choice words to the comments Mark Cuban made on Tuesday.

"“Losing him would’ve always gnawed at me,” Rivers said to Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski. “But it wouldn’t have stopped me. I would’ve said, ‘F— that, we’re going to figure out a way to get this right.'”"

Rivers said this in response to the comments Cuban made on Colin Cowherd’s radio show – that losing Jordan in free agency would have spelled the end of Rivers’ professional career. Jordan was the man of the hour this NBA offseason. He became a prime free-agent target once word spread that LaMarcus Aldridge would be signing with the San Antonio Spurs. Initially, Jordan gave a verbal agreement to Cuban that he would sign with the team for $81 million over four years. Before the bell officially rung at the start of free agency, Jordan had a change of heart.

Next: Top 25 NBA Free Agents for 2016

Jordan cancelled his verbal agreement with the Mavericks a few days later and instead signed a five-year deal for $110 million with the team he started his career with – the Clippers. It was a devastating blow for the Mavericks, who thought they had landed the catch of the decade to give Dirk Nowitzki and company another championship run.

"“I’ll say this. I’m so grateful to work for a team owned by Steve Ballmer, someone who stands for character and substance and who is so loyal,” Rivers told the Orange County Register’s Dan Woike. “He is someone who I know will stand with me, even when things aren’t always going our way. I think what happened with DJ was he decided to choose substance and character over smoke and mirrors.”"

“…someone who stands for character and substance…” – Rivers on Clippers owner Steve Ballmer

While it’s not explicitly laid out, it’s also not hard to read between the lines here. After Rivers defends himself, he goes ahead and takes a subtle jab at Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks organization.

Jordan provides a potent punch in the post for the Clippers. His immense presence forces teams to choose between him and teammate Blake Griffin to double team down low. Jordan showed the type of upside he has when given lay of the land last year as well. He averaged 16 points per game and 17.2 rebounds in February while Griffin was sidelined with an injury.

With Jordan locked in long-term, the triple threat of Jordan, Griffin and Chris Paul should continue their recent stretch of west coast domination like they’ve done over the past few years.

Jordan played all 82 games of the regular season last year, averaging 11.5 PPG, 15 RPG and 2.2 blocks to go along with it. His presence at the charity stripe continues to plague him though – he averaged 40 percent at the line.

Rivers’ Clippers and Cuban’s Mavericks will play each other on Nov. 11. If the game is as fierce as the preseason banter, then fans will have a good match-up in store for them.

H/T TheScore

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