NBA Report: Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro on ‘super-thin ice’

Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro could become the next NBA coach to be fired, Grantland’s Bill Simmons reports.

“Heard today that Vinny Del Negro is on super-thin, could-go-any-day ice. A blowout loss in OKC tonight won't exactly help,” Simmons wrote on Twitter.

The Clippers lost to the Thunder, 114-91, in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, and their season continues to go in the wrong direction. L.A. was 15-7 before losing Chauncey Billups to a season-ending injury on February 6; they are 11-13 since.

Oklahoma City “had its way with the Clippers,” the L.A. Times writes, as the Thunder shot 53.8 percent from the field and 40.9 percent (9-for-22) from 3-point range; outrebounded the Clippers, 49-31; and outscored L.A. in the paint, 44-22.

Frustration in the Clippers' locker room is evident.

"Our overall approach and everything to the game has to be better,” Del Negro said, per The Times. “That's what is disappointing to me. We have to do a better job of being in the moment from the get-go and not waiting to get into the game."

Added Chris Paul, "I don't know the answers. We've got to figure it out. It's getting to be a little bit embarrassing."

Simmons suggests two factors that could mean Del Negro’s survival: Clippers owner Donald Sterling “is too cheap to pay for 2 coaches,” and it makes little sense to hire an interim coach for a playoff contender.