MidValleySports.Com

The Clippers land HC Doc Rivers

Okay, LeBron James is great, the Miami Heat proved they are the best team in basketball, and it’s time for the “big three” in San Antonio to be broken up. Now, is it football season yet?

Well it is but just a couple more notes on hoops and then its definitely time to move on. The Clippers landing Doc Rivers is a great move. I didn’t like the move of showing Vinny Del Negro the door but landing Rivers makes it all worth while. Rivers is a guy that has experience and consistently gets the most out of his players. Right now he’s the best coach available. And all they had to give up was a first round pick in 2015? genius.

Everybody knows this was as much as Chris Paul’s move as Donald Sterling’s or anybody else in the Clippers front office. Who cares. It’s a solid move. Besides landing a quality coach they also showed they are willing to do what it takes to win. Did you ever think Sterling would pay $7 million a year for a coach? But it’s the necessary thing to do right now and the Clips did it. Plus they just secured Paul for at least another five years. Bravo!

Oh and one more thing on the NBA Finals. Can we please stop with the notion that the NBA fixed the series to go seven games. After the Heat wrapped it up in seven somebody sent me a message stating just that – that the NBA wanted more revenue and somehow fixed Game Six for Miami to win. What? Do you know how many variables would have to be in place for that to happen? From officials to players to coaches – everybody would have to be involved. Also even if you somehow believed that how would you explain that this is only the fifth time in the last 25 years that the Finals have gone seven games? Sorry folks, no conspiracy here.

I also don’t think there is a conspiracy against New England’s Aaron Hernandez but well…let’s just say it’s not looking too good right now for the Patriots tight end. Some things can be explained away but what reason can Hernandez or his legal team come up with for suddenly destroying his security system? I mean who does that? And why?

With Hernandez looking at his legal problems and Rob Gronkowski coming off surgery will we see Tim Tebow at tight end for the Pats? You can talk about his throwing ability or anything else but is there anybody else who’s going to work harder? And I don’t believe that he’s not willing to switch positions.

I kept hearing rumblings coming out of Gabrielino so I decided to go have a look for myself last Thursday at San Gabriel. I liked what I saw. Elijah Peters to Jeremy Franco looks like a connection that is going to make some noise this season. Franco is listed at an even six feet on the stat sheet but he’s more like 6-2. He has great leaping ability and was catching everything thrown his way. Peters has a year of experience under his belt and displayed a strong arm. Chris Montoya is a mobile linebacker and should anchor the Eagle defense.

As for the Matadors, with a new coach and a lot of new players, it could be rebuilding year. When you look at the Almont, you see Montebello, Bell Gardens, Schurr, maybe Alhambra, but I just don’t see San Gabriel.

San Marino was there too and is breaking in a new quarterback as well to replace the graduated Matt Wofford. That’s some big shoes to fill. However the Titans do have a good offensive line.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.