The Steve Clifford Thread 2.0 - Off the Cliff we go

[Flip Murray]

Steve Clifford interview with SI. Haven't read it yet just wanted to drop it here first.

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/24/steve-clifford-hornets-nba-draft-lance-stephenson-al-jefferson

So, particularly the switches that involve Thompson, Iguodala, Livingston, Green and Harrison Barnes. That's where they create a lot of their turnovers. They were second, you know, in the NBA in steals. And, most years, creating turnovers in our league is not a big deal. Actually, most years since I've been in the league 15 years, teams that create the turnovers are usually teams that aren't as good defensively, but I think that's one of the things that they did that I know I took out just watching their team that we'll try to do more

Mannix: You mention shooting, and obviously that's an issue for this team going forward. This draft has several pretty good shooters in it—Devin Booker, R.J. Hunter, among the better ones. Is that a priority for the Hornets in this draft, finding somebody who can be a shooter on the outside?

Clifford: Yeah, I think for the whole offseason, that's our priority, and I think that's why bringing Spencer Hawes here is a good start to our offseason. I think, for me in the draft, and especially this year, where I believe it's a deep draft with a lot of guys who have a lot of potential. But also, you're talking about a lot of 19 year olds and Devin is 18, so I still think that, for the most part, you take the best player, you help your team that way by adding talent, and then we have free agency also or trades where we can really address the range shooting. Devin is somebody, and R.J., we had them both in here, they're both terrific shooters, and both of them have a chance to be good NBA players.

[LofJ]

Good interview. He mentioned that Booker was really young and has a chance to be a good player, but you have to take whoever it is you think is BPA and address needs/roster fit through trades and free agency. Given where our roster is at I expect to see at least one more big trade, either to add wing shooting or a point or possibly both.

[yosemiteben]

Good stuff. All class in how he talked about Lance.

[catch20two]

Gotta trade for Lamb chops. Or Joe Johnson.

[fatlever]

The King of Run-on Sentences - The Steve Clifford Thread.

[LofJ]

http://www.nba.com/hornets/steve-clifford-6/26/15

Clifford held Al accountable at the very end of this interview, color me shocked. Maybe there is hope for him...

[mattcampbell]

I've got faith that Clifford will get it turned around this year. He's got plenty of shooters and versatile players at his disposal this year. With his job possibly on the line, I think he'll do whatever it takes to win and win some fans back this season.

[yosemiteben]

Clifford says some players aren’t asked to do things that will be required of them in the NBA. They’re not the best players on their teams, so their responsibilites are limited. Kaminsky was the best player on his team.

“He’s done those things,” Clifford says.

Clifford wants to be at the forefront of a changing NBA dynamic. Move your power forward and center (Kaminsky will play both positions) outside. Move everybody outside. Give the ball to your ball handler and let him go.

Clifford talks about Orlando Magic big man Channing Frye, who slips outside, creating space for teammates. He talks about the Boston Celtics, who became competitive last season when they sent their big men to the perimeter, gave the ball to point guard Isaiah Thomas and watched him slice through defenses.

Clifford is unlikely to say what he doesn’t believe, and the longer he talks about Kaminsky, the more excited he becomes. He praises Kaminsky’s instincts, says he invariably is in the right place and gets there early.

He talks about how, when Kentucky made a late run in its NCAA tournament semifinal, Kaminsky wanted the ball.

“There’s nothing more important than that,” says Clifford.

Clifford says that when a team plays 82 games a season, there are no magic words or magical pep talks. He needs players who are serious and will work hard without being told to.

“That’s how you build the culture of your team,” he says.

Kaminsky, Clifford says, will be part of that culture.

Source

Very interesting quotes from Cliff, especially with regard to implications for Al and Kemba, and you could maybe say Biz.

[Eoghan]

"Clifford wants to be at the forefront of a changing NBA dynamic. Move your power forward and center (Kaminsky will play both positions) outside. Move everybody outside. Give the ball to your ball handler and let him go."

OH MY GOD that will not work. Bottom five offense here we come!

[BeesWax]

"Clifford wants to be at the forefront of a changing NBA dynamic. Move your power forward and center (Kaminsky will play both positions) outside. Move everybody outside. Give the ball to your ball handler and let him go."

OH MY GOD that will not work. Bottom five offense here we come!

What do you mean here we come? We are already there. More like bottom five offense our comfort zone.

[KembaWalker]

If Kaminsky can pass half as well as McRoberts (I'm doubtful of this) the team will be much better with that alone. We all saw how much that dynamic was missed in our offense.

Adding Batum has a similar impact. We really need more bball IQ in the lineup. Getting Batum/Kaminsky while dropping Lance/Hendo/Vonleh raises the average bbiq of our roster so much

[Diop]

Very interesting quotes, really does sounds like the end of AlFense. I will believe it when I see it.
Biz could fit with his screening I suppose but his opponent will constantly cheat off him.

Also doesn't this sound a lot like the Dunlap offence?

[BeesWax]

True but Biz would roll to the rim creating issues. Batum is supposed to be good like Lance at that. Biz paired with him could be a nice asset. Lay off Biz get Batum a open 3 come up and risk a monster dunk. With our shooting you can't lay off Biz so much.

[Diop]

Also I think Biz's best offensive weapon is the O rebound, he often draws fouls by getting in the right spot.

Coach kept saying how Biz should stick to rebounding/defence are they at least going to try to develop an offensive option for him?
Or is Biz just that inept.

[stinger14]

We need to get Al outta here ASAP and get Biz signed.....

[BeesWax]

Fire this moron now.

[Hornet Mania]

Fire this moron now.

Too late for that now. We already shaped the roster in his image. If he fails to make the playoffs this year with a roster filled with his guys then he's not getting a contract offer from us next summer.

I'm with you in spirit though. All our moves this summer blow and will look incredibly short-sighted unless Kaminsky is better than Winslow, Vonleh becomes nothing special, Batum works at SG and then re-signs next summer, Biz is nothing special for anyone else and our defense doesn't suffer too much, AND most importantly we make the playoffs this year and next. Almost every one of those moves will have to break our way to make Cliff and Cho look halfway decent by this time next year. Maybe they'll prove us all wrong, but I doubt it.

[stinger14]

Fire this idiot before he screws us up even more.....I very much would not doubt him calling for an MKG trade, he is that stupid.....

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Fire Cliff. Fire Cho.

[Braggins]

I don't get it. Why aren't all the other teams in the league stocking up on no-defense bigs who can shoot? I thought that was where the NBA was evolving? Clifford must just be way ahead of the curve.