After seven seasons coaching the Charlotte Hornets, Steve Clifford has decided to step down from the job, leaving a vacancy in the process. Turns out, former Los Angeles Lakers champion Metta World Peace is ready and willing to take the role for Buzz City.
Just recently, the Hornets’ front office announced that Clifford is ending his tenure as the team’s head coach after spending seven years in the role. Age and the stress of playing through a whole 82-game season are the primary reasons for Clifford’s decision to step down.
His first run with the franchise started in 2013 and ended in 2018. After he left, the Orlando Magic hired him and acted as their head coach for three seasons. Clifford would return to Charlotte in 2022 and serve there for two more years.
Throughout those two stints, Clifford has established himself as the coach with the most wins in Hornets history. He has coached a total of 547 regular season games, won 244, and lost 330 of them. Furthermore, Clifford has a playoff record of 3 wins and 8 losses in the two seasons Charlotte made the playoffs.
Former Los Angeles Lakers Star Metta World Peace Pitches Himself as Charlotte Hornets’ New Coach
Due to Clifford’s decision to step down, the Hornets have to go through the process of finding his replacement. One candidate has stepped up and pitched himself, as seen in a tweet he posted on his official account on X:
The player formerly known as Ron Artest last played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2016-17 season. Apart from playing for the Purple and Gold for six seasons, the Lakers’ All-Star forward also won a ring with them in 2010.
World Peace is an intriguing choice to assume the role Clifford left behind. But even with all of his accomplishments in the league, the Hornets’ front office may want to check other candidates out. In any case, Charlotte has a long offseason ahead of them to get the right man for the job.
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