Doc Rivers won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in large part because of the Celtics’ Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Rivers believes he now has a “big three” with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I’m always focused on our big three guys, Blake [Griffin], DJ [DeAndre Jordan] and Chris [Paul],” Rivers said. “Their leadership is important to our team. I’m always watching them. I think those are the guys that I have more focus on than anybody else.”
“That’s our big three, I like our big three,” Rivers said. “I like what DeAndre gives us. He gives us something a lot of the guys in the league can’t do. He can block shots, he can run the floor, he can defend, he’s talking and he’s in the best shape of his career. He’s doing a lot of great things for us.”
Rivers said he expects Jordan to be in the running for defensive player of the year this season and has spent the first two days of the Clippers’ training camp in San Diego focusing on defense. Rivers expects the Clippers to be one of the best defensive teams in the league this season.
“They should be better than any team I’ve ever coached, I really believe that,” Rivers said. “They’re more athletic. They don’t have the veteran IQ but they should be in that area. We have a couple of individual defenders that can be dominating on defense. We have great speed but we don’t have the size in some ways as some of the teams I’ve coached.”
ESPN (via WEEI)
Oh Doc, you’re a funny guy. DeAndre Jordan a Big 3 caliber player. That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard in a while.
Here’s the unwritten rule on Big 3s: It should only be used when describing HOF caliber players. Chris Bosh isn’t even Big 3 worthy.
As for Benedict Doc’s comment about the Clippers being better than any team he’s ever coached – including the 2008 champion Boston Celtics – I can live with it. It’s a motivational tactic.
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