Swarm and Sting
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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, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Goga Bitadze #88 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their game at Spectrum Center on November 19, 2021 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 19: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Goga Bitadze #88 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their game at Spectrum Center on November 19, 2021 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Steve Clifford will fail because his offensive system does not match this Hornets roster

One thing that James Borrego did well was letting this team play a fast-paced, transition-heavy offense. This is not the type of offense Steve Clifford is used to coaching.

During his time in Charlotte, the team’s offense was never great. The best season was 2016 when the team had the ninth-highest offensive rating and scored the 11th-most points in the league. His last two seasons saw the team have an above-average offensive rating, but that was mostly because Kemba Walker was taking over every game.

His teams prior to 2016 finished in the bottom ten in offensive rating, points per game, and pace. This Hornets team will not succeed by being near the bottom of the league on offense.

Clifford will have to adapt his philosophies to the way this team plays. This Hornets team plays with pace, they live and die behind the three-point line, and they like to move the ball up the court.

Clifford is open to the idea of continuing to play this way. After hiring Clifford, general manager Mitch Kupchak said Clifford was “committed to playing the offensive pace fans are accustomed to seeing”. During his introductory press conference, Clifford was very vocal about the things he liked that this team did on offense.

"“What I’ve seen so far that I like watching film is, not just that they played up-tempo, but the ball moves, the ball doesn’t stick a lot, the ball hits the paint a lot, which has led to a good three-point shooting team and a team that gets the ball at the rim a lot,” Clifford said. “Those are two key components of playing offense in this league.”"

Clifford understands the game has evolved since his first time here. He seems aware that this is an entirely different team which plays in an entirely different way than his previous teams. If he wants to succeed in his second time in Charlotte, he must prove that he has what it takes to coach one of the NBA’s elite offenses.

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