I'm BACKKKKKKKK!!: The Steve Clifford Thread

[Walt Cronkite]

Not optimistic about this one.

[BigSlam]

As I was having a minor meltdown, I decided to turn to Cliff's high points and check out that 2015-16 season. Bullet points:

48 wins
purple shirt guy away from advancing in the playoffs
top 10 net rating
top 10 offensive and defensive efficiency
18th in pace (didn't realize we were ever that high)
top 10 in 3PT%
top 5 in 3PTA

That was a remarkable season

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

[BigSlam]

The thing that concerns me the most with this hire is how it may negatively impact LaMelo. He thrived in our high pace, passing oriented offense for a reason. It's what he's good at, and he produced. It was the primary driver for our top 5 offense.

And that style got us blown out in play in games, two years in a row.

What’s the definition on insanity?

[Man Strength]

Any rumors what assistants he may bring in ?

[HornetJail]

There is zero chance Lamelo and Clifford can coexist. No way this ends well for the young exciting guys

This was how I was originally thinking, but then I got to thinking about Kemba. He transformed into a legit All Star under Cliff. For all Cliff's faults, it seems like maximizing the impact of a young, talented PG is a bright spot on his resume.

there's a big difference in the way LaMelo and Kemba approach the game. Kemba was always a score first guy whose idea of creating for others was keeping turnovers way down and making the easy pass. That plays right into Clifford's style. Kemba was that way even under Mike Dunlap, so that's not just a thing Clifford made him do.

LaMelo tries hard (often too hard) to make things happen, making high risk plays like difficult passes, wild alley oop attempts, that are going to drive Clifford BANANAS. I hope Clifford cleans up some of the dumb stuff LaMelo does, but doesn't try to curb the aggression in LaMelo's playmaking.

[-Ian-]

Any rumors what assistants he may bring in ?

None so far. The only thing we know so far is that this regime like to keep a large part of JB's staff.

It was stated in Mitch's press release that "Steve is committed to playing with the same offensive pace that our fans are accustomed to seeing the last few years." We should hold them accountable to that. Jay Triano was the team's "offensive coordinator" but he's now with Sacramento so we have to find out who will fill in for that role.

[LofJ]

The thing that concerns me the most with this hire is how it may negatively impact LaMelo. He thrived in our high pace, passing oriented offense for a reason. It's what he's good at, and he produced. It was the primary driver for our top 5 offense.

And that style got us blown out in play in games, two years in a row.

What’s the definition on insanity?

We couldn't shift our play style to adapt, so yeah it didn't work when teams game plan and have a good enough defense to shut it down. We definitely need to learn how to succeed in the half-court (as well as continuing to be good at a high pace), hopefully that's something Clifford can help with.

[yosemiteben]

It was stated in Mitch's press release that "Steve is committed to playing with the same offensive pace that our fans are accustomed to seeing the last few years."

Good stuff, glad to hear this.

[Liver_Pooty]

I would say after hearing Mitch go out of his way after canning Borrego that he wanted to see the young guys play more that it was probably brought up multiple times while interviewing Clifford that he'd like to see that as well.

[MPM]

As I was having a minor meltdown, I decided to turn to Cliff's high points and check out that 2015-16 season. Bullet points:

48 wins
purple shirt guy away from advancing in the playoffs
top 10 net rating
top 10 offensive and defensive efficiency
18th in pace (didn't realize we were ever that high)
top 10 in 3PT%
top 5 in 3PTA

That was a remarkable season

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

The immoveable object vs. the unstoppable force: Didn't we get crushed on the offensive glass this year? If not, at least it seemed like opposing teams feasted on putbacks.

EDIT: yeah, we were second only to the LAC in ineptitude; https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/opponent-offensive-rebounds-per-game

[LofJ]

We had the fourth worst rebounding percentage last year (and 5th worst the year before), it has been a major issue under Borrego for sure. To be fair though expectations in that area can only be so high when we've gone without a starting quality big man for several years.

[BigSlam]

As I was having a minor meltdown, I decided to turn to Cliff's high points and check out that 2015-16 season. Bullet points:

48 wins
purple shirt guy away from advancing in the playoffs
top 10 net rating
top 10 offensive and defensive efficiency
18th in pace (didn't realize we were ever that high)
top 10 in 3PT%
top 5 in 3PTA

That was a remarkable season

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

The immoveable object vs. the unstoppable force: Didn't we get crushed on the offensive glass this year? If not, at least it seemed like opposing teams feasted on putbacks.

EDIT: yeah, we were second only to the LAC in ineptitude; https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/opponent-offensive-rebounds-per-game

From memory Kidd-Gilchrist was the only one permitted to overtly go for offensive rebounds - because he was good at getting them and was also defensively responsible/accountable.

Cliff’s approach was to punt offensive rebounds and to focus on getting back on D.

[MPM]

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

The immoveable object vs. the unstoppable force: Didn't we get crushed on the offensive glass this year? If not, at least it seemed like opposing teams feasted on putbacks.

EDIT: yeah, we were second only to the LAC in ineptitude; https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/opponent-offensive-rebounds-per-game

From memory Kidd-Gilchrist was the only one permitted to overtly go for offensive rebounds - because he was good at getting them and was also defensively responsible/accountable.

Cliff’s approach was to punt offensive rebounds and to focus on getting back on D.

God, yeah - all these memories shaking loose. And wasn't it a Cliff no-no for anyone to bring the ball up other than Kemba (or DJ/Ramon)? Or am I just making **** up now? (I did like the green light for multiple players to grab a board and go under JB)

[yosemiteben]

Found on Reddit

Watch on YouTube

We bought to have a defensive clinic. Interesting that he's still prioritizing paint protection and point of attack defense / not fouling over perimeter defense.

[fatlever]

Re: rotations
Cliff is much more rigid in his rotations compared to JB. Cliff believes players need to know their role, and their expected minutes. He sticks to his sub patterns regardless of someone being hot or cold... exceptions foul trouble, rookies. Same closing group. Doesn't change as much due to match ups. JB frequently rode the hot hand, benched his starters etc...

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[fatlever]

I won't believe Clifford for a second if he starts talking about playing with pace like our team last year did. He may attempt that at first, but at the first sign of a losing streak or the first sign of a game with a lot of turnovers in a row he will revert to his old tactics of slowing the game down to a crawl. If we finish in the top 15 in Pace I will be surprised

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[SWedd523]

As I was having a minor meltdown, I decided to turn to Cliff's high points and check out that 2015-16 season. Bullet points:

48 wins
purple shirt guy away from advancing in the playoffs
top 10 net rating
top 10 offensive and defensive efficiency
18th in pace (didn't realize we were ever that high)
top 10 in 3PT%
top 5 in 3PTA

That was a remarkable season

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

now do fast break scoring

[amcoolio]

This is a terrible hire all the way around, there is a 5% chance of this working out and LaMelo not having a third coach before his extension kicks in. Idiotic.

[fatlever]

As I was having a minor meltdown, I decided to turn to Cliff's high points and check out that 2015-16 season. Bullet points:

48 wins
purple shirt guy away from advancing in the playoffs
top 10 net rating
top 10 offensive and defensive efficiency
18th in pace (didn't realize we were ever that high)
top 10 in 3PT%
top 5 in 3PTA

That was a remarkable season

The Charlotte #Hornets DRB% under Steve Clifford in his 5 seasons —

13-14: 77.6 (1st)
14-15: 79.3 (1st)
15-16: 79.7 (1st)
16-17: 79.5 (2nd)
17-18: 80.7 (1st)

now do fast break scoring

You read my mind

Fast break scoring
Pace
Offensive ratings
Passes per game (I think we did move the ball quite well under cliff)
3s per game
Corner 3s
3s allowed
Corner 3s allowed


Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[fatlever]

The only way I see this working is if the front office views Clifford as a two-year stopgap, to basically teach lamelo and miles the other young players how to be accountable on defense.

Then bringing in another top teir coach in 2 yrs when hopefully Melo is a top 5 player and ready to dominate.

At least there is a team option after the 2nd season, right?

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM Forums mobile app