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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets interviewed Ime Udoka, Best HC fit

By Jerry Stephens

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Assitant Coach Ime Udoka speaks to Dejounte Murray #5 and LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 19, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Assitant Coach Ime Udoka speaks to Dejounte Murray #5 and LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 19, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets‘ associate head coach Stephen Silas is set to meet and interview with the Atlanta Hawks for their head coaching vacancy. (Woj) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Charlotte interviewing Ime Udoka, the best fit at head coach for the Hornets and Willy Hernangomez watching Luka Doncic overseas.

Hornets met with Ime Udoka (Twitter/ @WojESPN)

"San Antonio assistant Ime Udoka will interview for the Orlando Magic coaching job this week, league sources tell ESPN. Udoka has also met with Charlotte."

Charlotte has now met with three candidates including Jay Larranaga, Ettore Messina and Udoka. Ime is the second San Antonio Spurs‘ assistant that the Hornets have interviewed. The Queen City team is up against some stiff competition to land Udoka as the Orlando Magic offers an interesting roster with cap space.

The 40-year old played with the Lakers in 2004 while Mitch Kupchak was Los Angeles’ general manager. Ime is the youngest candidate that Charlotte has interviewed so far. If the Hornets hire Udoka, he would be one of the youngest coaches in the NBA along with Tyronne Lue (40), J.B. Bickerstaff (39) and Luke Walton (38).

Best HC fit for Charlotte (TheRinger.com)

"It appears Jordan would rather have Charlotte be mediocre than have it bottom out in hopes of surging higher later. So, which coach can do more with less? Fizdale certainly fits that bill, as does Budenholzer, but it seems both are looking for better jobs than this one."

David Fizdale has always been the favorite and leading candidate to land the Hornets’ head coaching gig. The only problem is that just about every other team looking for a head coach also wants to land Fiz. Considering the Hornets’ salary cap situation and current roster, there are more attractive job offers for Fizdale and Mike Budenholzer like Milwaukee, Phoenix and Orlando.

Although, if Charlotte decides to tank, someone like Jerry Stackhouse who is a young, developing head coach prospect would be a better fit. Ettore Messina, Jay Larranaga and Ime Udoka could also be options if they rebuild as none have been head coaches in the NBA before.

Willy Hernangomez watches Luka Doncic overseas (Twitter/ @EuroLeague)

Willy and his brother, Juan (who plays for the Denver Nuggets), enjoyed a Euro League game courtside as they watch Luka Doncic and Real Madrid. Both players were born and raised in Spain. The Hornets’ big man actually played with Real Madrid from 2011-2016 before coming over to the NBA.

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Hernangomez has praised Doncic on multiple occasions and the two seem to be very close friends. If Charlotte wins the draft lottery or moves into the top-three, Willy could convince the team to select Luka and he could help the Slovenian prospect get adjusted to the NBA.

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