The Steve Clifford Thread 2.0 - Off the Cliff we go

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I think that Mitch is going to want a bit of time to evaluate.

[catch20two]

I think that Mitch is going to want a bit of time to evaluate.

He’s been evaluating the past 2-3 months from the stands.

But I guess he’d wait to hear what players have to say in exit interviews and stuff.

[catch20two]

Read on Twitter

[catch20two]

Take him out of his misery. #CliffordMustGo

[euphorbus]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-daily-the-nba-coaching-carousel-begins/

"With the Hornets having new leadership in the hiring of Mitch Kupchak as president and general manager, many in the NBA see the Hornets parting ways with head coach Steve Clifford. This one could go either way. Clifford is well liked. However, his recent health issues and the inability to get the team into the postseason again may make it more likely he’ll be replaced. The one thing in Clifford’s favor is there may be an unprecedented number of coaching openings, driving up the price and commitment a team will need to make to a new head coach. That said, it seems more likely than not that Clifford is out this week."

[TinmanZBoy]

who do you want to replace him if coach clifford is gone?
I don't think you have a better option for now... that being said, for his health sake, I hope he will take a break for a couple of seasons...if he can replace mark jackson in ESPN, that would be perfect...

[316Hornets]

who do you want to replace him if coach clifford is gone?
I don't think you have a better option for now... that being said, for his health sake, I hope he will take a break for a couple of seasons...if he can replace mark jackson in ESPN, that would be perfect...

Just about anyone who won't stunt player development would be better than Cliff. If I had to pick, I'd go with Mark Jackson.

[JDR720]

I just want an offensive coach who develops players well and isn't insanely stubborn.

[fatlever]

https://www.atthehive.com/2018/4/12/17229114/numbers-say-charlotte-hornets-emphasize-principles-that-dont-matter-anymore-coach-steve-clifford

good read about cliff's style of play vs changing league

[fatlever]

give me your top 5 reasons to fire cliff and/or keep cliff

fire
1. plumlee->howard, then catering offense and defense to him to negative effect
2. mcw, we all know it was cliff who wanted him and refused to alter
3. stuck on failing clifford ball
4. health
5. rainman tendencies w/ lineups, rookies, player roles

keep
1. kemba
2. well respected
3. transparent

[TinmanZBoy]

https://www.atthehive.com/2018/4/12/17229114/numbers-say-charlotte-hornets-emphasize-principles-that-dont-matter-anymore-coach-steve-clifford

good read about cliff's style of play vs changing league

that's a good read... I stand by coach Clifford since he is too smart to ignore this... he is a student of the game

I'd like to see where Spurs and Jazz are ranked in the chart... for me, I think they play a similar style as Hornets' with good successes the last couple of years... and they have the right personnels to execute it... If you exchange Howard+ Batum with Gobert+Ingles or Aldridge+ Lenoard between these teams, I bet the hornets would have make the playoffs, Jazz would not, Spurs not sure...
another point is the Hornets has not played inside out offense since 15-16, they have transitioned their offense to a more balanced motion attack, post-ups are still part of their offense, but not main.

[powerforward]

if we hire mark jackson I will lose my mind.

I don't see a big name (college guy like Jay Wright- and please no to bennet from uva)
I don't want a retread (vogel/hornacek/ a random van gundy or van gundy clone)

I wouldn't mind a guy like stackhouse or edoka (sa assistant)

I think we most likely stay with clifford this season and extend him if we make playoffs (which I think we probably do)

We were worried we would be stuck as 7-8 seed but we can't even consistently make the playoffs

I have a small sliver of hope in looking at dwayne casey- he was regarded by many as a poor coach, they stuck with him, he adapted and they are best team in east and I'm not sure there is much difference in talent between us and raps. Maybe this is what happens with cliff

[JDR720]

Keeping and then extending Cliff would by far be the worst case.

We were worried we would be stuck as 7-8 seed but we can't even consistently make the playoffs

Thats the thing, we are on the worst treadmill we can be. We aren't bad enough to get a high pick and we aren't good enough to get a decent playoff seed either. and some of that is on Clifford, a lot of our moves have been specifically for him (Dwight, MCW etc).

I dont really think Casey is a good comp. The Raps have won 45+ games in all but 2 of his seasons. Look at their win%

Year 1: 34%
2: 41%
3: 58%
4: 59%
5: 68%
6: 62%
7: 72%

They improved every season but one, and that down season was still very good. We haven't improved at all with Cliff. Casey is at least good enough to not cost the team wins, Cliff isnt

[powerforward]

JDR good point, I'm just trying to make lemonade out of the inevitable lemons that we will have by keeping cliff

[316Hornets]

Honestly, I just like Mark Jackson as a temporary guy while we let our guys develop. He helped form the splash brothers and maybe he could do the same with some of our guys. Then when we're ready to compete in a couple years, we bring in someone more qualified.

He said this in 2013 btw

Watch on YouTube

[catch20two]

Mark Jackson is very likely to get the Knicks job and play the hometown hero role. I don’t see him being interested in Charlotte at all.

Our best option of people that would be willing to take the job because of familiarity and just the opportunity narrows down to Jerry Stackhouse and his North Carolina roots.

I personally wouldn’t mind either of LeBron’s sacrificial lambs in David Blatt or Mike Brown if we’re going to go the retread route. I like Fizdale too because I think he’s a cool guy with personality that the youth could relate to but I see him waiting for a job with a bigger name. Not too many people want to come to Charlotte right now unless they have some type of familiarity with growing up or living in the area beforehand.

[chabber]

if we hire mark jackson I will lose my mind.

Same. As bad as we are, I can’t think of many things that would turn me off of this team, but I would most assuredly put my fandom on pause until he was gone.

[LofJ]

I just want the team to play modern basketball. Clifford AND Howard need to go for that to happen.

[JDR720]

I just want the team to play modern basketball. Clifford AND Howard need to go for that to happen.

Long time no see. welcome back.

[Bassman]

If Cliff is fired, and I hope he is, think about it from Kupchak’s mindset. He knows plenty of people in the league, so he may have an assistant identified as a target. I doubt Carolina roots are as important, but never discount that (or ACC for that matter) as a connection. As the new GM, and being as experienced as Mitch, I’m all about getting my guy to run the team the way I want it done. I doubt he goes for retreads unless it’s someone he’s worked closely with previously (another possible route).

Just bring us a modern era guy who will develop players and maximize our scheme around the talent we assemble (after trades that hopefully get us out of cap hell).