Charlotte, NC-Steve Clifford has returned to a familiar environment as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, except that he needs a new apartment.
Clifford was introduced as the Hornets head coach on Tuesday. It’s been more than four years since general manager Mitch Kupchak fired him from the same position.
Clifford was not Charlotte’s first choice.
Golden State Assistant Kenny Atkinson took on the job, but withdrew after the Warriors won the NBA title for personal reasons. Clifford wasn’t even among the first candidates interviewed for the job first. Kupchak said he had taken over the debt of an apartment in downtown Clifford’s Charlotte just days after he was fired in 2018.
“I was worried that he would ask me to return the apartment,” Kupchak joked.
GM kept the apartment, but returned his old job to Clifford.
After he was released, Clifford said he maintained a great relationship with Kuchak and owner Michael Jordan. The coach disagreed with the team’s decision, but added that he understood it after Hornets had finished a series of losing seasons during his tenure.
He coached Orlando Magic for three seasons and reached the playoffs twice. And I feel better now than when he left.
“You want to evolve and make your job better,” Clifford said. “I’ve been teaching far more games than when I first came here and worked with another team. You’ll learn a lot from it.”
Clifford has inherited the Hornets team from 43-39 last season and believes he is more talented than any team he had in eight seasons as an NBA coach. Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
“One of the things you’re looking for is the potential to grow while watching a movie. I think this is a group that can get better and better,” Clifford said. “I’m looking at this team together. They’re in good harmony and can now play the style that suits what they win in this league.”
For Clifford, that means an uptempo pace with players sharing the ball.
Clifford’s strength is his defensive coach, and the Hornets have made it to the top 12 in the last five seasons of defense, but he and the team may be perfect.
All-star point guard initiative LaMelo BallThe Hornets want to push the ball up the court and play faster.
Clifford plans to keep the ball and the company going.
“We’re going to play aggressively with a very similar focus to what they’ve played in the last few years,” Clifford said. “Offenses start with playing with the strengths of the best players. The ball is a great talent with a passion for the game and a talent for playing on the open court, and we want to take advantage of it.”
But Clifford also knows that he was brought in to improve the Hornets’ defenses. It finished in 22nd place in last year’s league.
“I knew I needed to increase it a bit defensively,” Kupchak said. “… But we talked (in the course of the interview) about playing the way fans like to see our play-it’s fun and exciting. We play games as well. I saw this team’s way and should move forward in the same way. “
The biggest decision Hornets faces this offseason is the ability to re-sign a restricted free agent. Miles BridgesIncreased productivity every year and led the team by scoring last season.
Kupchak is irrelevant.
“We love miles,” said GM. “We will bring him back.”
Game notes
Hornets exercised option in forward Jaylen McDaniels‘The deal, the previous second round pick, means earning $ 1.9 million this season.
