Kupchak orchestrated the team’s draft this year without a head coach in place, but said it was not a big deal and that in the pas years he’s worked with coaches who aren’t even in the draft room.Ĭharlotte team traded its 13th overall pick to the New York Knicks for a future first round pick and four second round picks and then took Duke center Mark Williams at No. Mike D’Antoni and Terry Stotts were also in consideration for the job. “I think he would have been a good pick, but if he’s not comfortable here I would rather find out now than a year from now,” Kupchak said Thursday night during the NBA draft. Kupchak said that it was “disappointing,” but that in some ways he’s grateful it happened when it did. “We are confident that he will be able to help our young players continue to grow as we look to take the next step as a team.”Ĭlifford inherits a team that is arguably more talented than any of his previous Charlotte teams with All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Miles Bridges anchoring the squad.Ītkinson’s decision to the renege on his contract on Saturday shocked the Hornets and sent them scrambling for a replacement. “Steve is committed to playing with the same offensive pace that our fans are accustomed to seeing the last few years,” Kupchak said. Kupchak said he expects the Hornets to continue to play at a high pace. The Hornets finished sixth, 10th, ninth, 17th and 17th in defensive rating during Clifford’s five seasons.ĭuring his eight seasons as an NBA head coach, Clifford’s teams have never finished outside the top five in the league in fewest turnovers committed, and in seven of his eight campaigns his team finished in the top two in offensive rebounds allowed and the top five in defensive rebound percentage. The Hornets gave up 132 points in a 29-point loss to the Hawks in the play-in elimination game last season, which didn’t sit well with Jordan. Team owner Michael Jordan met Wednesday with Clifford, who left the team on good terms in 2018.Ĭlifford, known as a defensive-minded coach, inherits a team that eighth on offense last season but 22nd on defense. His best season in Charlotte came in 2015-16 when the Hornets went 48-34 and lost in seven games to the Miami Heat in the first round the playoffs. He spent last season as a coaching consultant for the Brooklyn Nets.Ĭlifford is 292-345 in eight seasons as an NBA coach. Clifford coached the Orlando Magic from 2018-21, reaching the playoffs twice. He led the Hornets to two playoff appearances prior to being dismissed in 2018 when Kupchak arrived as general manager. Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chuck Burton Previous Next
The Charlotte Hornets have two picks in the first round of the NBA draft on Thursday Jand no head coach in place to help facilitate those decisions. The 60-year-old Clifford spent five seasons coaching the Hornets from 2013-18, compiling a 196-214 record with a team that included Kemba Walker.įILE - Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak speaks to the media during a news conference for the NBA basketball team in Charlotte, N.C., April 12, 2019. I can’t wait to get back to town and start working with our players.” Charlotte is a great city and I know first-hand the passion that Hornets fans have for this franchise.
“This is an exciting young team with a lot of talented pieces. “I’m happy to be returning to Charlotte, and I want to thank Michael Jordan, Mitch Kupchak and Buzz Peterson for this opportunity,” Clifford said in a release. (AP) - Steve Clifford is heading back to Charlotte.Ĭlifford has agreed to a multiyear contract to return as head coach of the NBA’s Hornets four years after being fired by team owner Michael Jordan, the team announced Friday night.Ĭharlotte previously agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson to become head coach, but Atkinson later informed the team he was not taking the job citing family reasons.
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