Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers doesn't mince words. In his first meeting with Chris Paul, Rivers made it known he wasn't impressed with what the 28-year-old All-Star has accomplished. The Clippers also unveiled a new "Back in Blue" alternate uniform.
Paul reportedly made a push over the summer for the Clippers to acquire Rivers. With a championship-caliber coach locked down, Paul then signed a five-year deal worth $107.3 million with the Clippers. While most coaches placate their star players, Rivers made it clear to Paul that the guard would need to live up to the mega contract.
"As professional athletes, you always want someone to push you and motivate you," Paul told Yahoo! Sports. "The first meeting I had with Doc, he pretty much told me I wasn't anything. He told me I hadn't done anything in this league, and he was right. You don't always want somebody that's going to tell you what you want to hear. ...
"One thing I learned about Doc is he is going to expect you to do certain things. He's not going to baby us. He is going to treat us like men and he is going to give us that opportunity."
Rivers was more complimentary of Paul when asked about the six-time NBA All-Star.
"He's an All-Star and genius," Rivers said of Paul. "I'm dumb enough or smart enough to know not to get in the way of that. We can help him, too. We want to make things easier for him, especially in transition offensively. Defensively, I know I can help him. We can do some things differently.
"But you never want to get in the way of guys and what they do. We don't want to get in the way of that. You want to give him as much freedom as possible and you want him to be able to be great and allow everyone else to be great at the same time."
The Clippers revealed their new "pride" uniforms during Media Day. The short-sleeved, alternate jerseys return the Clippers to a light blue color for the first time since the team's days in San Diego, according to the team's official website. The alternate jersey will be worn on Sunday home games.
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The Clippers open the season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 29.
