Frustration boils over following Clippers loss
Nov. 22, 2015 Updated 5:10 p.m.
By DAN WOIKE / STAFF WRITER
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LOS ANGELES – Josh Smith and an unspecified Clipper coach were involved in a frustration-fueled argument following the Clippers’ 91-80 loss to Toronto Sunday.

Profanities and yelling made their way through the cement walls separating the Clipper locker room from an adjacent room where the media was waiting to speak to head coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers and Clipper players didn’t offer details on the incident.

“It’s (like any) locker room after you lose and play like that. Guys are upset,” Rivers said. “That’s about it.”

J.J. Redick jokingly classified the scene inside the locker room as “loud noises,” though it’s clear the team’s upset after falling below .500 with their seventh loss in their last nine games.

“It’s because we’re losing,” Redick said. “Things happen during the game, and your frustration level increases or decreases based on the final result. It’s a level of toleration you have either with yourself of other people. …The end result dictates your mindset.”

The Clippers are now 6-7, their worst start to a season since before Chris Paul joined the team. Last season, the team didn’t lose its seventh game until Dec. 13, 23 games into the season.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 29 Sunday, clawing back to get within six in the fourth. They could’ve cut the lead more, but a missed 3-point shot from Smith helped start a 6-0 Toronto run that essentially ended any comeback.

Smith is averaging 4.7 points in less than 15 minutes per game, both career lows.

Blake Griffin, who was held to a season-low 9 points, said the team's unhappiness is to be expected considering how the Clippers have been playing.

“It’s pretty frustrating. We’ve dropped three in a row. I think it’s pretty normal to be frustrated. But, we can’t let that frustration affect us negatively moving forward,” Blake Griffin said. “I think we need to do a good job of sitting down, being real and understanding what the real problems are moving forward.

“But, frustration is to be expected.”

Either way, I hope the clippers crash and burn.

mreinman wrote:Anyone who brings this idiot to their team deserves what they get.

Either way, I hope the clippers crash and burn.

...But why the Clippers hatred?

GustavBahler wrote:I get the feeling that loss to the Mavs got inside their heads as well. Rivers might be losing his mojo. Doesn't sound like they're buying in. Still plenty of time though.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/jadande/status/668544339467866112

CrushAlot wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:I get the feeling that loss to the Mavs got inside their heads as well. Rivers might be losing his mojo. Doesn't sound like they're buying in. Still plenty of time though.

Saw this on twitter.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/jadande/status/668544339467866112

Its like a non stop soap opera there, and it not the Knicks! GS might be making them wonder if their window has closed.

GustavBahler wrote:I get the feeling that loss to the Mavs got inside their heads as well. Rivers might be losing his mojo. Doesn't sound like they're buying in. Still plenty of time though.

Smith, Lance, and Pierce... Any mojo being lost by Rivers probably has to do with these guys playing so poorly...No?

They were the guys he brought over in his capacity as President of BB Operations. Would have lost Jordan, too, if not for some of his players...No?

Perhaps he should just stick to coaching.

WaltLongmire wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:I get the feeling that loss to the Mavs got inside their heads as well. Rivers might be losing his mojo. Doesn't sound like they're buying in. Still plenty of time though.

The loss to GS might have broken them.

Smith, Lance, and Pierce... Any mojo being lost by Rivers probably has to do with these guys playing so poorly...No?

They were the guys he brought over in his capacity as President of BB Operations. Would have lost Jordan, too, if not for some of his players...No?

Perhaps he should just stick to coaching.

Coaching is always part of the equation as far as Im concerned. No one gets a pass when a team is underperforming. How much of the blame the coach should get is another matter.