The Los Angeles Clippers showed why many experts have picked them to win the 2020 NBA Championship with last night’s 112-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. After both LeBron James and Anthony Davis addressed what may have been their recruitment of Kawhi Leonard, there was another interpersonal drama that surfaced in the battle of L.A. last night.
James’ agent and Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul was on the floor chatting with injured Clippers forward Paul George. Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach and current Clippers assistant Ty Lue strolled by. What ensued in front of the cameras was odd, at least in the NBA’s usually congenial world. Paul extended his hand, but Lue only looked at it walked to the Clippers bench.
Although there were rumors a few years ago that Lue was with Klutch Sports, the odd exchange suggests that’s not the case anymore. There are several reasons Lue could be upset with Paul.
Perhaps Lue wasn’t thrilled by the fact James and Paul publicly tried to distance themselves from the Lakers’ failed hiring of Lue this summer, with reports emerging that the two did not encourage the team to sign the former Cavs coach. Lue had reached an agreement with the Lakers but the deal fell apart after the team offered him a three-year contract when he wanted a longer-term deal.
The other option is that Lue was just joking.
