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Four reasons why Clifford will succeed or fail

By Jacob Phillips

Feb 4, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 25: Courtney Lee #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Miami Heat during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 25: Courtney Lee #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Miami Heat during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Steve Clifford will succeed because he has succeeded in Charlotte before

Steve Clifford is the second-winningest coach in Hornets franchise history. Since the team returned in 2004, he has the most wins and the highest winning percentage of any Charlotte coach.

Before his arrival, the Bobcats had one playoff appearance, which came under Larry Brown. Clifford went to the playoffs twice and coached the franchise to their first playoff wins in 14 years. That team was one game away from winning the franchise’s first playoff series in their current iteration.

Clifford achieved all of that with a roster that lacked talent. Neither of Clifford’s playoff teams had any All-Star players. Only the 2014 playoff team had an All-NBA player, when Al Jefferson earned All-NBA third team honors.

The 2016 team was led by Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson, Nicolas Batum, and Jeremy Lin. There were some nice supporting players such as Marvin Williams and Courtney Lee, but the overall talent level was nothing special.

This current roster already has an established All-Star in LaMelo Ball, a near All-Star player in Miles Bridges, and plenty of firepower on offense with Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and PJ Washington. Other players on the roster can make an impact any given game. There are also the ascending young players who have not yet cracked the rotatoin, which gives this roster more talent than Clifford has ever had as a head coach.

Two blowout losses in the play-in tournament in the past two seasons should give the team some added motivation next season. The Hornets cannot be content with just qualifying for the play-in and losing in their first game. They must make the playoffs and Clifford knows it is his job to get them there.

"“The NBA is all about winning in the playoffs, that’s it,” Clifford said."

The eastern conference today is not what it was when Clifford made it with Charlotte and Orlando. The talent is more spread out and the league is full of up-and-comers who are ready for postseason success.

Getting the Hornets into the playoffs will be a challenge, but it is one Clifford is ready to take on.

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