LA Lakers Deny Rumors That They Are Waiting On Doc Rivers As Coach? Clippers President Vowed To Quit If Sterlling Is Still The Owner!

The LA Lakers are denying the rumors that alleged their interest with Doc Rivers, the president and head coach of the LA Clippers. This was precipitated by the statement that Doc Rivers would leave the franchise if the sale of the Clippers is not finalized.

The statement was mentioned by interim CEO of the Clippers Dick Parsons. ESPN LA reports:

"The interim CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers testified in state court Tuesday afternoon that coach and team president Doc Rivers has told him on multiple occasions that he doesn't think he wants to continue as coach if Donald Sterling remains owner of the team."

Dick Parsons' quote: "If Doc were to leave, that would be a disaster. Doc is the father figure of the team. Chris [Paul] is the on-court captain of the team. But Doc is really the guy who leads the effort. He's the coach, the grown-up, he's a man of character and ability -- not just in a basketball sense, but in the ability to connect with people and gain their trust. The team believes in him and admires and loves him. If he were to bail, with all the other circumstances, it would accelerate the death spiral."

While the Lakers can be accused of holding on to pipe dreams (it's actually their fans, not the organization), this is not actually the case this time. From the LA Daily News:

"Amid all the unanswered questions who the Lakers will hire as their next head coach and when, two team sources strongly disputed that any delay stems from waiting out to see if Clippers coach Doc Rivers will become available because of embattled owner Donald Sterling prolonging a costly litigation battle."

Why would the Lakers involve themselves in such a messy situation over a coach, even if it's Doc Rivers? The Lakers are looking for star players and the coach seems like a secondary concern.