Doc Rivers on Luka Doncic: “I was on the board first last year with him. I just think he’s a special basketball player”

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers spoke with reporters after their 134-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Rivers addressed topics such as the Clippers’ current identity, Montrezl Harrell’s progress, and Luka Doncic’s dominance.

“I was on the board first last year with him,” said Rivers of Doncic. “I just think he’s a special basketball player. He’s hard to stop. This year, he’s come back with more. Offensively, man, he’s tough.”

On if sending multiple defenders will slow Doncic down: “We’ll find that out. I mean, I haven’t looked at a game plan yet. I just know no one is stopping him so far. And if you don’t, they’re going to win. That’s going to be our challenge.”

Rivers also chimed in on Montrezl Harrell’s growth and the impact that he’s had on the team this year.

“I think that people think Trez is good only because of Lou. And I think they’re starting to see, Trez is good. Period. There’s nothing else after that. He’s just a good basketball player. You know, he can score on the post. He can score on Iso. He can do it in a lot of different ways. and it’s been great to watch. Each year, it seems like he adds more and more to his game. He went left like five times today. The scouting report is don’t let him go right. So he says ok, I’ll go left. Just shows you how much he works on his game.”

Rivers also talks about the Clippers’ current identity and how they will grow as the season goes on.