The Charlotte Hornets were supposed to have a great year. With Lance Stephenson in the fold a bit of playoff experience and a new team name, they set their sights on getting home-court advantage in the postseason. With less than two weeks left in the season, they're 10th in the Eastern Conference, fighting for their playoffs lives with Stephenson getting DNP-CDs. Not great, Bob.
The disappointment means that head coach Steve Clifford, so widely praised for Charlotte's defensive improvement a year ago, is taking some criticism. Point guard Kemba Walker does not like that, via the Charlotte Observer.
"It has nothing to do with him," Walker said of the Hornets sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, two spots out of the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. "He does a great job, he's a fantastic coach. He always does his best to give us the right game plan, to try and get wins.
"I'm 100 percent behind him. I believe in him."
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"It was no (coincidence) we got to the playoffs last season," Walker said of Clifford's coaching.
"It hasn't been the best season for us this year, but he is definitely not to blame. We're the ones out there playing, we're the ones who have to execute, we're the ones who have to win those games. I think it's on us."
On one hand, it's be unreasonable to expect Clifford to avoid any sort of negativity in a season like this. The Hornets have the third-worst offensive rating in the NBA, per NBA.com, and they've failed to get the most out of Stephenson, who was a near-All-Star with the Indiana Pacers last season.
On the other, it'd be crazy to place all (or most) of the blame on the coaching staff. It was clear last season that this roster needed much more shooting, and Josh McRoberts' importance was obvious. The front office did not address the shooting issue adequately, and it did not find a way to make up for McRoberts' absence after he signed with the Miami Heat. Clifford was given a group that had talent, but not one that naturally fit together. Changes are necessary, and it'll only be time to seriously question Clifford if Charlotte underachieves when given a more balanced team.
