Charlotte Hornets News 2015: Steve Clifford Gets Three-Year Contract Extension
Since taking over as majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets (then the Bobcats), Michael Jordan liked to experiment with several coaches, giving them so little time to carve out a niche in his team. But the news about current head coach Steve Clifford's multiyear extension is somewhat new; something that the club actually needs for continuity.
Multiple reports are saying that the deal Clifford signed includes a three-year guarantee, keeping his job as head coach secured until the 2018-2019 season, while the team gets an option for the 2019-2020 season.
Currently in his third season, Clifford guided the team to the first round of the NBA playoffs in his first season. He may have an overall losing record with the Hornets, but the team is having some bit of success to start the season with eight wins to show against six defeats.
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The announcement of the extension seemed like a surprise for some NBA observers since there were rumors a couple of months before the start of the season about Clifford's fate with the team. But if Clifford didn't get the extension, he would have been a great candidate for other coaching vacancies at that time.
The 54-year-old coach began his career in the NBA just like many other coaches have — from the lower ranks. He was a scout for the New York Knicks for a significant time, with Jeff Van Gundy at the helm. He eventually became an assistant coach with the Knicks, Rockets, Magic, and the Lakers.
The team's decision to give Clifford the extension makes a lot of sense. He has impressed with his improvements as the Hornet's head tactician after less than five years of experience. He also is known to be a players' coach.
With the Hornets' current roster that's quite different compared to last season, the team is looking to take it a notch higher in offense; and it looks like the offseason moves are paying off with Charlotte averaging a little over a hundred points per game so far.
