New Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue doesn't believe any animosity within the roster caused the team's downfall this past season.
Lue, during his virtual introductory press conference as the franchise's newest head coach Wednesday, said he believed the Clippers weren't able to grow together as a team due to several player absences that left the squad shorthanded at various points throughout the year.
"I think when you talk about chemistry and continuity, it is not off the court, the guys not liking each other," he told reporters, courtesy of ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
"When you talk about chemistry, it is more so (Paul George) came in and he had shoulder surgery, so he was out, he missed the whole training camp and was out the first 11 games of the season. Kawhi (Leonard) came in and couldn't participate in the whole training camp, and then we lost (Patrick) Beverley, in and out of the lineup a few times."
Lue is perhaps the only candidate in the Clippers' coaching search qualified to speak on the apparent behind-the-scenes issues plaguing the locker room after spending the year as the lead assistant on Doc Rivers' coaching staff.
However, those same chemistry concerns have been reported on more than one occasion. A report just last week specified the team's supposed preferential treatment of Leonard - including his load management and allowing him to live farther away from the team's training facility - bothered Beverley, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell. Williams and Harrell have both since denied the story.
