In the NFL, when a team starts losing, there are two main guys that catch the blame: the quarterback and the head coach. In the NBA, it’s a little different, but there is one similar scapegoat: the head coach. Just ask Mike Malone.
Basketball in Charlotte has seen its fair share of coaching changes. Fortunately, the general consensus was, and pretty much still is, that current head coach, Steve Clifford, is the real deal. But was that too quick of a conclusion?
Clifford was revered for his defensive coaching ability after leading the lowly Bobcats to a top five defense last season. Their ability to lean on a stingy defense made up for their sub-par offense enough to lead them to a rare postseason appearance.
The hope was that by adding an offensive star, Lance Stephenson, the re-branded Hornets would be Eastern Conference contenders.
On paper, it was a perfect fit, but what we’ve seen on the court would led us to believe that last season was an anomaly.
Coming into Friday night’s contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Charlotte Hornets were 17th in team defensive efficiency. They were also 14th in defensive rating (per 100 possessions).
This is quite a difference from their 4th overall defensive rating of a season ago, despite not losing too many key pieces. That being said, the departure of Josh McRoberts looks more and more significant by the game.
More from Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon Miller, not Victor Wembanyama, is the rookie to watch in 2023
- 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- 4 Reasons drafting Scoot Henderson should be a no-brainer for Hornets
- Ranking the 5 best available power forwards in 2023 NBA free agency
There are more issues with this team than defensive struggles, but so many appear to be on the fundamentals side of things.
Charlotte has struggled closing out on shooters, evident by their 24th-ranked defense in opponent percentage. They’re also ranked 24th in opponent three-point shooting percentage.
Their inability to efficiently close out on perimeter shooters was particularly evident in their game against the Houston Rockets. Seemingly every time they double-teamed James Harden, it led to an open three, as they weren’t able to rotate as a unit and close out.
This game wasn’t the only time this has occurred, which has been a theme.
Nearly every game, the same old problems have been apparent, which is the biggest problem and why we need to start looking at the coaching staff.
All of the huge blown leads? Mostly because of taking their foot off of the gas and playing not to lose. The game plan becomes apparent to everyone in the building, including the opposition. Before Big Al went down with an injury, seemingly every fourth quarter possession was intended upon getting the down in the left block to Al Jefferson or Kemba Walker going one-on-one.
This easy-to-see game plan has cost the Hornets as many games as their constant inability to close out on shooters, turnovers, and untimely offensive rebounds allowed.
Look, I like Steve Clifford, I really do. Unfortunately, the more I watch this team play, the more I think it’s time to finally start looking in Clifford’s direction. I know injuries have played a major role, but the same simple mistakes have been there in nearly every game.
Unless Clifford can salvage something positive before season’s end, it may be time to start looking in a different direction for next season.