Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets assistant linked to the Atlanta Hawks, Ettore Messina endorsed by Spurs
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
LeBron James hit an incredible game-winner to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Indiana Pacers in what has been a thrilling playoff series. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Stephen Silas being linked to the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs endorsing Ettore Messina to be the Charlotte Hornets‘ next head coach and Steve Clifford wanting to coach in the NBA next year.
Stephen Silas linked to the Atlanta Hawks (Twitter/ @WojESPN)
"Sources: Among current assistant coaches expected to be a part of the Hawks search to replace Budenholzer: Charlotte’s Stephen Silas, Portland’s Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool, San Antonio’s Ime Udoka and James Borrego."
With Steve Clifford gone and a new head coach set to come in this summer, it isn’t likely that Silas will be on Charlotte’s coaching staff next season. If he could find a head coaching gig elsewhere in the NBA, it would be a great opportunity for the 45-year old. He’s been with the Hornets for over 10 years and was promoted to associate head coach this past season.
Even though Atlanta had the worst record in the East, it’s a big opportunity for Stephen because it would be his first head coaching job in the league. If Silas gets hired, Charlotte would face him four-times a year as he would be moving to a divisional foe. He has previously been linked with moves away from the Queen City including to the Golden State Warriors, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.
Ettore Messina endorsed by the Spurs (HoustonChronicle.com)
"“I think the time has come,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “For sure, he’s very capable and experienced.” Gasol agreed. “Messina has been one of the top head coaches in Europe,” Gasol said. “It’s hard to get that opportunity in the NBA, but if there’s someone who should get it, it should be him.”"
Both Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol, two future first-ballot Hall-of-Famers, praised Ettore Messina and endorsed him in the race to become Charlotte’s next head coach. The Spurs’ assistant is set to meet and interview with the Hornets now that San Antonio has been eliminated from the postseason.
Ettore said that he would talk to Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford before making a decision. An interesting note is that Messina would become the first European NBA head coach if hired. Looking at his success overseason and as an assistant in the league, it’s easy to see why he is regarded as one of the top head coach candidates.
Steve Clifford wants to be a head coach in the NBA next year (CharlotteObserver.com)
"Q. What’s your feeling, as far as coaching? A. My hope is to be a head coach again (in the NBA) next year. There is a lot of movement in the league. There are certainly jobs I’m interested in. I’m looking into it. I want to be involved in the NBA. I enjoy coaching a great deal (in general), but I also (particularly) enjoy the competition in this league."
Clifford sounds committed to immediately continuing his career in the league. Steve has already interviewed with the Phoenix Suns and is a candidate to become their next head coach. With so many head coaching changes around the NBA, he will surely land with a new team before the start of next season.
Next: Hernangomez has made Zeller expendable
Cliff made his playoff predictions as well by picking either the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets to make it out of the Western Conference and the Toronto Raptors to make it out of the East but said that the Philadelphia 76ers are a wild card because of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.. He also doesn’t think Charlotte should blow up their current roster but rather make one or two small moves.