If L.A. Clippers Lose in 1st Round, Vinny Del Negro Has to Go

The Los Angeles Clippers are now just a single loss away from postseason elimination, and while it might seem reductive to pin the team's recent struggles and disappointing lack of growth entirely on coach Vinny Del Negro, the fact is that he's earned his place on the chopping block.

Del Negro made it through yet another season in which his coaching acumen was a nearly constant object of ridicule. Partly because he's on the final year of his contract (we know how loath the stingy Clippers are to pay coaches who aren't on the bench), and partly because the talent on the roster couldn't help but put together a solid season.