Vinny Del Negro isn't too happy with DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Clippers have dropped three straight in their first round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. I'm sure Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro isn't too happy about that, but what really has him fired up, besides the seat he's sitting on, is the play of center DeAndre Jordan.

Del Negro is dealing with the losses, a hobbled Blake Griffin, and his place on the hot seat. So it naturally irks him to see Jordan, a talented, athletic big man come up with a lame effort against the Grizzlies. Del Negro needed Jordan to be big in a pivotal Game 5 but Jordan came up with a six point, eight rebound effort in a 103-93 loss.

Del Negro ripped Jordan after the loss for the way he's come up short against the Grizzlies front line throughout the series.  


"I don't know if crossroads is the right (word) but there's definitely a level you have to play at right now that is much different," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He has a much different responsibility now. He understands it.

"I haven't seen the consistency that I like. He hasn't seen the consistency he would like."

"I didn't see him controlling the game the way I thought he needed to, and at that stage you have to go with someone you feel can," Del Negro said. "Maybe Ryan Hollins could have played a few more minutes after looking at the tape.

"But those are decisions that are made during the heat of the battle, and you go with your rotation as best you can. At this stage of the game you want to stay with your rotation, but if they're not being productive, you have to look at other guys you have confidence in, that have produced throughout the series."

For reasons unknown to me Del Negro is on the hot seat. He pushed for a Jordan for Kevin Garnett deal before the trade deadline and Chris Paul might be skipping town. He's trying to pull out all the stops after being ahead 2-0 in the series and seeing the bottom fall out. The Clippers will have to try to win Game 6 on the road with a hurting Griffin and the way things have been going I don't see it happening.

It looks like this may be the end for Del Negro.