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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets to interview David Vanterpool and James Borrego

By Jerry Stephens

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 10: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks to assistant coach David Vanterpool during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 10, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Trail Blazers 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 10: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks to assistant coach David Vanterpool during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 10, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Trail Blazers 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

Top draft prospect Luka Doncic won’t hold individual workouts with teams prior to the 2018 NBA Draft. (RealGM.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets meeting with assistant coaches’ David Vanterpool of the Portland Trail Blazers and James Borrego of the San Antonio Spurs while also looking at where Dwight Howard ranks in the top-100 NBA players of all-time.

Charlotte gets permission to interview David Vanterpool (Woj)

"Charlotte has received permission to interview Portland assistant David Vanterpool for franchise’s coaching job, league sources tell ESPN. Vanterpool will meet with Charlotte today."

Vanterpool started his coaching career in 2007 with CSKA Moscow. He has been an assistant with the Blazers since 2012. The 45-year old has also been a member of the Canada Men’s National Basketball Team coaching staff. He has been on both the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks‘ radar as well.

As a player, David spent time in Italy, China and Russia. He also spent one season in the NBA with the Washington Wizards where he averaged 5.5 points per game in 22 appearances. Although he’s never been a head coach, Vanterpool is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA and a strong head coach candidate.

Hornets to meet with James Borrego (Woj)

"San Antonio assistant James Borrego is interviewing for the Charlotte Hornets coaching job today, league sources tell ESPN. Borrego has also interviewed for the New York and Phoenix openings."

Borrego is the third Spurs’ assistant that Charlotte had met with this summer. They also interviewed Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka. The only San Antonio assistant’s that they haven’t talked to yet are Becky Hammon, Willy Hardy and Chip Engelland. James has been coaching since 2001 and has been on Gregg Popovich’s staff for 10 years.

He’s also worked with New Orleans and Orlando. As the interim head coach for the Magic in 2015, Borrego had a 10-20 record. For James, the Knicks and Suns’ head coaching vacancies have to be more appealing than the Hornets’ but the Queen City team is arguably the readiest to compete for a playoff spot next season which makes it an intriguing destination despite their salary cap situation.

Where Dwight Howard ranks in the top-100 players of all-time (SlamOnline.com)

"Don’t let the low free-throw percentage fool you. Dwight Howard, who jumped straight to the League from high school in 2004, is an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive team member and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. In 2008, he anchored the paint for Team USA’s Gold medal run at the Beijing Games."

Dwight ranked in at No. 89 on the top-100 players of all-time list ahead of Hal Greer (No. 90) and just behind Chris Webber (No. 88). It’s pretty surprising that Giannis Antetokounmpo was ranked ahead of Howard at No. 85. The Greek Freak is only a two-time all-star and although he will probably accomplish a lot more in his career, I wouldn’t rank him ahead of eight-time all-star Dwight Howard just yet.

Next: What if Charlotte had won the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery?

Former Hornets’ big man Alonzo Mourning also made the list as he came in at No. 78. Zo came in just ahead of Artis Gilmore (No. 79) and just behind Adrian Dantley (No.77). As for current players, Carmelo Anthony registered at No. 95, Pau Gasol at No. 93, Kyrie Irving is at No. 82, Kawhi Leonard was ranked No. 76, Manu Ginobili came in at No. 72, Vince Carter is No. 70, Tony Parker was listed at No. 67 and James Harden at No. 60.

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