Clippers coach Vinny Del
Negro isn’t the type to gloat about winning streaks or personal achievements,
so the news he was selected the NBA’s Western Conference coach of the month
isn’t likely to put much more than a grin on his face. But when your team goes
16-0 in one month, as the Clippers did in December, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Heading into Wednesday
night’s game at Golden State, the Clippers (25-7) have the second-best record
in the league, behind Oklahoma City (24-6). Their 17-game winning streak, the
longest in the NBA since 2008, ended New Year’s Day in a 92-78 loss at Denver.
Del Negro is in his
third season as Clippers coach after two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Last
season, he took the Clippers to the conference finals before losing to the San
Antonio Spurs.
This is the first
time Del Negro has won coach of the month honors. He’s the first Clippers coach
to win the award since Larry Brown in March 1992.
Other Western Conference
nominees were Mark Jackson of Golden State, Scott Brooks of Oklahoma City and
Terry Stotts of Portland.
Atlanta Hawks coach
Larry Drew was named the Eastern Conference’s top coach for December.
