Clifford was hired by the then-Bobcats after the 2012-13 season in which Charlotte finished with the second-worst record in the league. When that same nucleus failed to make the playoffs last season under Clifford’s leadership, there was an ever-vocal army of Hornets fans calling for the head coach to be fired. They were swept in the first round, of course, by the Miami Heat, but if Jefferson had stayed healthy, that series could’ve gone quite differently.
Advertisement
The Charlotte Hornets have entrusted their short-term future to coach Steve Clifford.
The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell reported Wednesday that the extension includes a three-year guarantee through the 2018-19 season. He worked for the NY Knicks, the Houston Rockets, the Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to Charlotte. Charlotte, which hosts Washington on Wednesday night, has won its past five at home. “I feel like we have made good strides in a lot of ways since I’ve been here and I want to be here when we get back to the days when we are a playoff team which I think we can be this year”.
The Hornets are off to a strong 8-6 start despite injuries, including the loss of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Advertisement
In Jordan’s tenure in Charlotte, Clifford has been perhaps the best coach for the team, and now that Hornets have extended him, he will help bring some stability to the franchise.
