Apr 13, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports

Everyone knows that Vinny Del Negro is holding on by a thread as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. A run that could lead the Los Angeles Clippers to the Western Conference finals may be enough to keep Del Negro his job, but even then there is no guarantee that he’ll be back next season.

T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times reported that the higher ups in Clippers land weren’t pleased with his efforts to obtain Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics.

The front office turned sour on Del Negro earlier this season when he chatted with Celtics’ boss Danny Ainge about a deal to acquire Kevin Garnett. They felt it wasn’t his place to do so. Hard feelings remain.

-Clippers need to learn how to live with success - The LA Times

There remains a conflict between Del Negro and the front office on the future of Clippers center DeAndre Jordan who would have been shipped out for Garnett.

This off-season will be littered will credible coacher, Donald Sterling won’t have a problem finding someone to replace Del Negro. There may not be a more attractive team to coach than this Clippers team, even if Chris Paul doesn’t re-sign. Bringing in someone like Stan Van Gundy, Avery Johnson or Byron Scott, Paul’s former coach as a New Orleans Hornet would all but guarantee Paul’s re-signing. Even Phil Jackson is reportedly looking into returning to the coaches chair according to ESPN:

But sources told ESPN.com this week that Jackson is “itching” to go back to work after a long spell to recharge since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench following the 2010-11 season.

There’s currently no set destination for where Phil wants to coach, but after being slighted by the Los Angeles Lakers team that he led to five championship, how sweet would it be to see him coach up the better team within the same city. Also watching Chris Paul and Blake Griffin run an actual offense, the triangle offense to be exact, would make this team a real championship contender in the West alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Point is if Vinny Del Negro wants to return to this clubhouse, he’ll have to be spectacular in the playoffs. If you had to ask me, I wouldn’t bet on his return unless he wins the NBA championship which highly unlikely based on their recent play of late.

Feb 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference guard Chris Paul (3) of the Los Angeles Clippers is awarded the MVP trophy for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Paul scored 20 points, dished out 15 assists, and grabbed 5 steals to lead the Western Conference to a 143-138 win at Houston on Sunday evening. Paul was named MVP for his performance, joining Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas as the only three players in NBA All-Star game history to achieve 20 or more points and 15 assists in an All-Star game. Paul was particularly effective in his passing to teammate Blake Griffin, who scored 19 points on 9-11 shooting – all dunks.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 30 points, followed by Griffin’s 19, James Harden with 15, Tony Parker with 13, and Russell Westbrook tallying 14. Kobe Bryant scored 9 points, but was particularly tenacious on defense against LeBron James, perhaps due to comments made by Michael Jordan earlier in the week comparing the two. Bryant blocked a James shot late in the fourth quarter and two seemed to be jawing at each other all game long.

For the Eastern Conference, Carmelo Anthony poured in 26 points, Dwayne Wade 21, LeBron James 19 (though James only shot 7-18), and Kyrie Irving finishing with 15.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will now return to begin the season’s home stretch of 26 games, starting with a contest against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center Thursday evening.