Blake Griffin News

Up is down and down is up these days in Los Angeles, where it's the legendary Lakers who are a hot mess and the Clippers who are no longer confounding.

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Glen Rice Jr is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility.

Apr 12, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin during the first half at the New Orleans Arena.

Vinny Del Negro is out as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after a season in which the team won its first division title but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said "yes" in a text message when asked if he and the team had parted ways on Tuesday.

April 1, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers power forward David West is defended by power forward Blake Griffin and point guard Chris Paul against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center.

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro reacts to a missed basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum.

An 11-year-old boy who has never cut his hair decided to donate his mane to Locks of Love on Friday.

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul brings the ball up court in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

Vinny Del Negro always had one big advantage in keeping the Clippers head coaching job.

As has been much discussed , the Clippers need a new head coach. But it's got to be an elite coach who understands how to develop players, to help them emphasize their best tools and further develop their games.

After a disappointing first round ouster, the Los Angeles Clippers face the important questions of the offseason a little earlier than they might have hoped.

July 19, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Exterior view of the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of University Nevada Las Vegas.

"There is sure to be plenty of buzz in the weeks and months to come about the future of New Orleans shooting guard Eric Gordon and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe .

Even the most elite NBA players have long stepped up their style game, from just rocking oversized suits to draping themselves in designer garb and colorful getups, both pre- and post-game . That said, the 2013 playoff season brings a whole new set of wardrobe wins and fails.

Seriously, where does all the Blake Griffin hate come from and how can we make it stop? Joe Robbins/Getty Images The three-time NBA All-Star has received many labels in his short NBA career.

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Grant Hill and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan walk off the court in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

Last week, Stephen A. Smith reported that the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers may engage in a blockbuster trade situation on ESPN First Take , or at least, it's being talked about.

This season's NBA playoffs have been a decidedly testy affair, with elbows getting tossed left and right, shoving matches becoming the norm and referees being forced to take over games every now and then because of the overly physical play.

Is the Clippers' first-round exit enough for Chris Paul to consider bolting Lob City? Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Chris Paul will certainly factor in the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round loss to the Memphis Grizzlies before making his free-agency decision this summer.