The interview with Mike D’Antoni finally gave nothing, and Michael Jordan decided to do something new with something old. Four years after his departure, Steve Clifford is back in Charlotte. It is a rare situation, and he will therefore take over from James Borrego, who had succeeded him. Clifford’s name was immediately leaked after Kenny Atkinson’s about-face.
After leading the Hornets twice in the playoffs in five years, Clifford was fired in 2018. He then rebounded to the Magic where he remained until June 2021. Once again dismissed, he accepted a consulting role at the Nets to support Steve Nash.
He’s an “old-fashioned” coach, rather defensive, and that’s probably what the young Hornets squad needed.
ESPN Sources: Steve Clifford has agreed to a deal to return as the Charlotte Hornets’ coach. Clifford, one of league’s most respected coaches among his peers, led Hornets to two playoff trips in a five-year run that ended in 2018.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2022
