The Charlotte Hornets have already started interviewing candidates for the position of head coach. Thus far, every applicant is either an NBA assistant currently in use or, in the instance of JJ Redick, an NBA player turned ESPN commentator.
The Hornets cannot continue as they are, whatever the situation may be. Simply said, they’ve been depressed for too long and are becoming irrelevant in the basketball world. It appears that even their most devoted followers could be becoming disinterested.
For Jeff Peterson, who joined as the new president of basketball operations in late February after leaving the Brooklyn Nets, this is a significant hire. Steve Clifford, the former coach, went into the front office shortly after. It was totally his decision.
What qualities are the Hornets looking for in Clifford’s replacement, then? In a reader mailbag, Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone explained it.
Boone stated, “Steve Clifford’s replacement will need to be a jack-of-all-trades.” He will need to be skilled in player development because the Hornets have a youthful roster that needs to keep developing. In the locker room and on the floor, the new coach has to establish a rapport with and command respect from LaMelo Ball. a readiness to collaborate with the Hornets’ ownership and vice president of basketball operations, Jeff Peterson.
These attributes cannot be compromised. Keep in mind that the Hornets need to make the proper choice because this will be Ball’s third head coach in as many seasons. The repercussions might be devastating if they don’t.
Boone is correct. Ball and rookie big Brandon Miller, who can grab attention with his explosive play alone, are two very good components the Hornets can develop around.
However, when you’re not winning or at least fighting for a postseason position in the NBA, nobody pays you any attention.
That duty will fall to Charlotte’s next coach, whoever that may be. Thus, Boone is right. Someone who covers all the bases must be chosen.
The Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman and the Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee, in addition to Redick, have either been interviewed by the Hornets or are scheduled to be, though the search is still very much in its early phases.