After a stint of five years at the head of the Charlotte Hornets (between 2013 and 2018), during which the franchise – passed from Bobcats to Hornets – only played two first rounds of play-offs (2014 and 2016), Steve Clifford (61) is back as coach of the club owned by Michael Jordan.
The franchise confirmed this recruitment Friday, while Clifford was not the first choice of management, played by Mitch Kupchak. Kenny Atkinson was supposed to take charge of the team, but ultimately declined.
Leaving in 2018 from North Carolina – where he notably managed French winger Nicolas Batum – Clifford then led the Orlando Magic (2018-2021) while last season he held a consulting role with Steve Nash on the side of the Brooklyn Nets. “We believe his previous stint and his coaching philosophy make him the best coach for our team,” Kupchak said in the Hornets statement. Steve has proven that he knows how to improve defenses and has an eye for detail. » According to ESPN, Mike D’Antoni had also been considered for the job.
With this recruitment, there is only one vacant position left in the NBA: that of the Utah Jazz of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
