Earlier this week, Blake Griffin issued a written apology on twitter for “creating a distraction” after punching the Clippers’ equipment manager and consequently breaking his shooting hand.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said he isn’t one to hold a grudge, and strangely comparing Griffin to vilified US President Richard Nixon.
“You have to forgive people at some point. I believe that,” Rivers said. “We built Richard Nixon a library.”
More from the L.A. Times:
Rivers said Griffin had expressed remorse in conversations with the coach and his teammates. Griffin also has resumed speaking to Testi, Rivers said, though the coach did not know whether the longtime friends had reached an agreement that would avoid a legal entanglement.
“He feels awful about it and he’s let everyone know that,” Rivers said of Griffin. “That’s all you can do, man. You have to forgive people at some point. I believe that. We built Richard Nixon a library.”
Rivers invoked the name of another controversial U.S. president while discussing whether the use of alcohol precipitated the altercation.
“It depends on what you call ‘alcohol,’” Rivers said. “I feel like Bill Clinton right now. It really does. Did guys have a drink? I’m sure they did. Other than that, I’m going to say, no, alcohol wasn’t involved.”
