After weeks of negotiations between the trade partners and the NBA League Office, Doc Rivers was formally introduced as head coach and Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday morning.

The man known as a communicator, leader and organizer of men was quick to interject his coaching wisdom in Los Angeles. “Well we didn’t win it, so there is clearly work to do,” Rivers said.

Coach Rivers came into the meeting with a stern look, sharp demeanor and general disbelief about the speed of this transformation from staying in Boston to coming all the way out to Los Angeles. “There was a time when I thought the deal was not going to happen,” Rivers said.

Why Come to Los Angeles?

The first question on peoples' minds was Rivers' long, drawn-out exit from Boston and the star-studded roster lining up in Los Angeles. “After the season I had no plans of leaving,” Rivers said. “If you ask me a minute after the season, I would tell you I am going home because I am burnt out and tired.”

For Rivers, the focus was centered around the future, especially with the NBA Draft and free agency looming. “As you can see by my attire, I don’t even have any suits with me here,” Rivers said. “I wish we could end this meeting so I can start planning." The Clippers hold the 25th pick in Thursday’s draft.

The team will be looking to add a piece to a roster that won a franchise record 56 games last season via the draft. This piece may not translate into a starter, but the Clippers have already acquired one big offseason transaction in Rivers

The press conference was rather direct, like a formality, for the man who only wanted the attention to shine on his players. “I hope this is the last time I will be the front headline here (in Los Angeles),” Rivers said after just one question. 

Despite his wishes, the Clippers' new head coach is already being received like a prophet. #WELCOMEDOC was trending on Twitter throughout the morning, causing many to call this day the second-greatest day in Clippers history behind the acquisition of Chris Paul.

What About the Current Roster?

During the press conference, Rivers was quick to shed off comparisons, instead focusing on the current roster. Despite the big-name coach, the Clippers have plenty of questions moving forward for this offseason. 

“It’s nice to do a lot of winning but it’s nicer to be the winner," Rivers said about a Clippers squad that has won four playoff series since coming to the West Coast in 1978. “Honestly, it’s the reason I am still coaching. To win championships."

Rivers brings a championship demeanor to a locker room vested with talented veterans and young guns alike. As of this moment, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are the marquee pieces under contract, the two big men that the Clippers are looking to build around.

The biggest piece left to solve is the tumultous future surrounding Chris Paul. Obviously, Los Angeles fans are curious as to whether Doc and Paul have had any major discussion of working together. “The first time I really interacted with him was when I pulled him out of a scrum with one of our players,” Doc jokingly responded.

Rivers does relate to Paul in many facets, however. As one of the cogs of the Clippers' playoff run in 1991, Rivers led the franchise to their first playoff appearance in Los Angeles. Chris Paul is now the face of the franchise, and will vastly benefit from the tough-minded approach that Rivers implements on a daily basis, an approach Paul brings as well.

Does “Doc” Make an Impact?

What impact does Doc Rivers really have in Los Angeles? First and foremost, the respect he garners from his players and peers is palpable around the association.

Last postseason, critics blamed Vinny Del Negro for not adjusting on the fly to the San Antonio Spurs' clogging defense, thus preventing the battered Chris Paul from carrying the Clippers stagnant offense. This postseason, the onus rested on Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan for coming up small against the Grizzlies' bangers in the paint.

The legendary coach is a stout leader who demands the most out of his players while "keeping it real" with his boys. “I don’t like people calling me coach," he said. "Call me Doc. Everything we do is a team effort, it’s not just me."

Defense has been the name of the game for Rivers, as the Celtics were in the top five in total defense in the NBA in each of the last six seasons with Rivers at the helm.

The Clippers were not a terrible defensive squad last season, ranking in the top ten in points allowed. That being said, Rivers will make the adjustments that others could not to get his team in the best position to succeed and win games. 

Free agent forward Ryan Hollins summed up Rivers' impact best. “He builds a culture, chemistry and sense of team towards winning a championship, with a very high likelihood of that happening in Los Angeles,” Hollins said.

The culture over the last two seasons in Los Angeles was filled with excitement but always missing the down-and-dirty demeanor to win championships. It was fun and games, and Rivers' demeanor will add winning to that equation. “Doc makes playing basketball fun again,” Hollins said.

Heightened Expectations

For a franchise that stands second fiddle in the rafters to Phil Jackson and Pat Riley in Lakerland, the addition of a stalwart like Rivers adds instant credibility.

“What’s the fuss. We already gave up a first round pick for Rivers once,” said Clippers President Andy Roeser, regarding the acquisition of Rivers as a player back in 1991. 

No matter which way you spin it, the Clippers finally have an A-list guy calling the plays. After years of dancing around the contract of coaches, Donald Sterling saddled up in paying Rivers $7 million per year.

The next step requires the Clippers adopting a rugged philosophy on both ends of the court. Something their friends down the Staples Center hallway did for decades under the late Dr. Jerry Buss.

We've seen the Clippers man up on the court, and after two successes after success, the team has manned up on the sidelines as well, setting themselves up more to overcome decades of futility.

Reach Staff Reporter Evan Budrovich here or follow him on Twitter.