It’s been another year to forget for the Charlotte Hornets. But at least they have a new head of basketball operations in Jeff Peterson, who’s coming over from the Brooklyn Nets.
And for now, coach Steve Clifford said the plan is to try to keep winning games.
This despite the fact the Hornets (15-46) have again been befuddled by injuries and are headed nowhere incredibly fast.
“Look, we’re shorthanded and there’s a big difference between in some of the games you play, there’s going to be a real challenge to win,” Clifford said, via Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “But that doesn’t mean you play losing basketball.
And there’s a big difference between teams that just pack it in and teams that play the right way and win. And I think as an organization, I think trying to win every game is a big thing.”
Clifford is in his second stint as Charlotte’s coach. Given that there’s a new basketball man in charge, Clifford could be on thin ice. Generally, GMs like to bring in their own coach. Not always, but sometimes.
For now, though, Clifford is stressing that this is a good opportunity for some of the younger players to audition for next season.
“With younger players, to me, it’s absolutely critical that they understand the importance of getting better every day,” he said. “I’m a firm believer, especially for younger guys, that their first experience is the way they view the league, the way they have to be taught how to be a good NBA player. I think they have to gain an understanding of how to win.”
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