Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets to interview Jim Boylen, Front office wants player development

By Jerry Stephens

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 5: Jim Boylen and Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls talk during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 5, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 5: Jim Boylen and Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls talk during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 5, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets‘ head coaching target David Fizdale has reportedly “gained serious traction” to becoming the New York Knicks‘ next head coach. (NYDailyNews.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Charlotte meeting with Chicago Bulls‘ assistant Jim Boylen, the Hornets’ front office wanting to see player development with their next head coach and the Milwaukee Bucks being interested in Steve Clifford.

Charlotte to interview Jim Boylen (ChicagoTribune.com)

"The Bulls have granted permission to the Hornets to interview associate head coach Jim Boylen for Charlotte’s head coaching vacancy, sources said."

Boylen is currently the associate head coach of the Chicago Bulls where he has worked alongside Fred Hoiberg since 2015. Jim started his coaching career in 1987 with Michigan State. During his time in the NBA, he has been an assistant with the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonia Spurs.

The 53-year old is a three-time NBA Champion and has 20 years of coaching experience in the league. Although he’s never been a head coach at the top level, he was the HC for the University of Utah from 2007-11 where he had a 69-60 record.

Hornets’ front office wants to see player development (CharlotteObserver.com)

"What quality do you most want to see in the next coach? Curtis Polk:  “In today’s NBA, one of the important things particularly in a market like Charlotte (which can’t live off free agency) is player development: getting those draft picks and developing them.”"

This is a good sign from the team’s front office that they are focusing on improving their player development. The truth is, Charlotte didn’t do a great job of developing young prospects while Steve Clifford was the head coach. That was evident in his unwillingness to play Malik Monk during his rookie season.

Aside from Kemba Walker, no other Hornets’ draft pick had dramatic improvements in their games. With the Queen City team’s inability to lure big name free agents (and limited cap space right now), they will need to rely heavily on player development to put a contending team together.

Milwaukee Bucks interested in Steve Clifford (Woj)

"Sources: Milwaukee embarking on a coaching search with a list of candidates that includes several former head coaches: Steve Clifford, Mike Budenholzer, Monty Williams, David Fizdale and David Blatt. Bucks plan to interview those coaches — and possibly several more."

After missing out on the Suns’ job, Clifford is now being targeted by the Bucks. Phoenix recently hired Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov taking one HC vacancy off of the market. Steve has made it clear that he wants to be a head coach in the NBA during the 2018-19 season and he is receiving interest from teams.

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

Milwaukee is an interesting destination for Clifford as they have a playoff contending roster with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe. Many coaches will surely want this job as the Bucks have an MVP candidate an finished 7th in the Eastern Conference this past season.

Home/Hornets News