Los Angeles Clippers president and coach Doc Rivers joins Adrian Wojnarowski on The Vertical Podcast with Woj.

In a revealing hour, Rivers reaffirms the franchise’s commitment to Blake Griffin, goes inside the recruitment of Kevin Durant and lays out the vision for building out the team’s front-office infrastructure. Rivers goes into great detail about his relationship with Steve Ballmer and tells the story of how he threatened to quit his job three weeks into his tenure under Donald Sterling.

Rivers discusses how close Paul Pierce is to retirement and the franchise’s plans to let Pierce finish his career with the Celtics if he decides to walk away. Rivers goes into detail on his history with Kevin Garnett, his Celtics championship team and his desire to continue coaching in the NBA.

0:42: Griffin’s future with the Clippers.

3:57: The dramatic playoff losses during the last three seasons.

7:50: Keeping the team’s nucleus together and their experience playing together.

11:18: Inside the recruitment of Durant and deciding to move on.

16:34: The importance of players recruiting other players during the season.

19:20: Pierce’s future with the team and the plans if he retires.

24:18: Has Rivers signed too many of his former players?

28:51: Plans for the team to expand its sports science operations.

32:07: Ballmer’s willingness to spend to improve the team.

35:41: Rivers’ plans for his coaching future.

40:13: Nearly quitting when Donald Sterling wanted to renege on a deal with J.J. Redick.

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