Head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the basketball game against Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center November 2, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. The Thunder won, 85-83. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Doc Rivers is striking a reassuring tone a day after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in a result that took millions of Americans and the world by surprise.
“We’re all going to be OK everyone,” he said Wednesday night before the Clippers hosted Portland. “Donald Trump is going to be president and that’s something I never thought I’d have to say. I believe overall America works.”
Rivers said one of sports’ maxims applied to Trump’s campaign against Hillary Clinton: never underestimate your opponent.
“He was underestimated from the beginning,” the coach said.
Rivers noted that much of Trump’s support came from rural areas, while inner-city voters didn’t go to the polls as strongly as they did in re-electing Barack Obama four years ago.
“The one thing this thing taught me was how powerful the vote is,” he said.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets to denounce Trump’s election.
“Don’t be mad,” Rivers said. “Go do something about it if you want change. Run for office or vote.”
On Monday, Rivers had encouraged people to vote during his pre- and postgame comments. He said he had already voted in Florida, where the Chicago native remains a resident despite living much of the year in Los Angeles. He didn’t disclose his choice for president.
Portland coach Terry Stotts didn’t mince words, saying, “I was very disappointed. It wasn’t my choice. I hope the country is going to be OK.”