Welcome Back Clifford

Hornets Talk
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keeping up with the assistants theme, just noticed this while lunching

Summer League Head Coach
Jordan Surenkamp (College – Wabash College)
Assistant Coaches
Nick Friedman (College - Miami)
Norm Richardson (College - Hofstra)
Jackson Simmons (College – North Carolina)
Donyell Marshall (College - Connecticut)
Ben Resner (College - Stony Brook)
Collin Terry (College - Utah Valley University)

I cannot find anything in print on hires vs retention but we do know that the team brought in Beyers and Corbin. However, looking at the roster as listed from last year:

Coach Role
Quinton Sawyer Trainer
Adam Linens Strength and Conditioning
Marlon Garnett Assistant Coach
Jay Triano Assistant Coach
Chad Iske Assistant Coach
Jay Hernandez Assistant Coach
Dutch Gaitley Assistant Coach
Nick Friedman Assistant Coach
Norm Richardson Assistant Coach

I believe we know that Dutch Gaitley and Jay Triano are no longer here. I assume Chad has left as well. The worrisome omission in Summer League (for me) is Jay Hernandez. I am hoping that he’s still with the team in some fashion but if anyone has info, that would be good to know.

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Clifford was on the Woj pod. Talked a lot about Jordan, LaMelo and his coaching philosophy

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Ah, so it looks like the Hornets coach is able to get whoever and however many assistants he likes.

Kenji Atlason lying about that one too.

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I always called bullshit on that. It made perfect sense that we wanted to retain some staff who had proven themselves with us, and we trusted/liked by our roster.

The being cheap thing … maybe that has legs but the rest of it never rang true.

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I am a little confused by the statement. Was Surenkamp retained or not? Perhaps there’s some reporting diffs between Swarm and Hornets and that’s why he’s not in that list. It would be pretty surprising if they had him coach SL and let him go so I assume they haven’t done so.

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Either that, or Cliff thought he failed his audition?

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Didn’t he though? Not sad to see him go.

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I don’t think the G League head coach counts as NBA staff but not sure. Last year he was “replaced” as a video coordinator when he got the Swarm head coach job in official messaging.

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Dearest Steve,

I was having my usual Wednesday lunch w team owners when I learned the most heart warming fact about you. I was told by an unnamed source that each day after work you rush home to check out what we have to say here on HP. Indeed you log on before taking your jacket off!

Upon learning this I puffed out my chest, point my face towards the sky and said out loud “Here’s my chance.” Because I know that you care, I say: “Thank you coach - thank you.” Some would say that you have the worst coaching job in the league and others would say in the world but that won’t stop you from answering our call during our darkest hour.

There is no doubt that this past off season was an A1 certified freshly squeezed sh!t show. But one thing we are certain about is that you will be there as our North Star. Who knows we may all learn a lesson or two about perseverance from you.

These are tough confusion and uncertain times but it’s comforting to know that we can turn to a familiar face. Dare I hope that you and the team might win more than your fair share of games this season? For now let the dreamers dream. Best wishes Coach, your success is our success!

From the cheap seats w love,

ncborn

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Just heard on locked on that the Charlotte Observer is reporting that Clifford is back for next year!!! That is music to my ears.

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This was released two weeks ago! Am I the only guy here who does periodic google searches on the head coach? Geesshhhh…

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Yes, you are the singular, most knowledgable entity out of us all, none of us poor simple minded folk understands the magics of the internets. Thank you for saving us oh big brain ncborn.

Is that the affirmation you seek in all your posts? Like I keep saying, just post your tidbits and move on, no need to frame things as if you’re the only one who is capable of understanding any point, or finding good info.

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As usual another default worse possible interpretation of my post w the typical side order of “See - He’s full of malice, pee pee and vinegar.” Are you not tired? I am.

My disappointment is with the fact that Steve loves this organization and his players but we (fans and my guess the organization) do not love him back nearly has hard as we/they should.* I think his hiring announcement was out for a day before anyone (me) started an appreciation thread.

Cliff pulled our bacon out of the fire when nobody would touch us w a 10 foot pole. Yet dudes were disappointed by his selection. A-ma-zing. What guy do you know who would have been as loyal as Cliff was last summer? Even I can look at the stats and tell that he’s teaching the players how to defend. Don’t you think the next coach will be grateful for Cliffs fundamentals foundation setting?

No that comment wasn’t about my ego as you assert (w thin evidence at best). It’s about basic Appreciation for a guy who is respected around the league and loved in the locker room.

There you have it - the entire goal of this thread - my personal love letter to Coach Cliff.

*I am telling you now, we are going to get a good squad in place and then we are going to let Cliff go! Surely you know the “No Good Deed” song by Idina Menzel.

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We were all obviously waiting on you to post it, as we have no idea how to find articles like that. The real question is, why did you keep us out of the loop for two weeks and not post it sooner?

That said, I like Cliff. I’d like him more as an assistant and bring someone in who is a bit more creative with things. I’d love a coach who allows young talented players to make mistakes and just play more freely, without the fear of being subbed out.

I do appreciate him taking the job, as he clearly has love for the Hornets.

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I mean, that’s overdramatizing a bit, I don’t think you’re full of malice, pee pee and vinegar. I just think it’s kinda douchy to always frame things as, “look, I saw this thing, why isn’t nobody else seeing this thing like me, does nobody care as much as me.”

If it’s as simple as “look at this thing,” then it’s like, cool. If people are interested, they’ll comment. If not, they won’t. But when you add the “why doesn’t this board ever see or talk about this,” that’s when its eye roll inducing.

I don’t even have to search far for another example of you inserting yourself, about how you had to do something cause omigod no one else was going to. You have the freedom to of course. But as I and others have mentioned you do this every other post. Not that we think it makes you Dr. Evil. Just that its… douchy. Unnecessary. Annoying.

We don’t have to love or appreciate anyone as much as you, or fear a hypothetical outcome as much as you. There’s no litmus test for fandom. Again, like I always say, state your own opinion and move on, no need to compare how much more your feelings seem than others about a particular thing. Thats signifies a need for validation. The constant use of it shows a constant need of validation.

Cool. Appreciate him then. Nobody’s stopping you, nobody has a problem with this. It’s adding that extra thing you do. I’m honestly not even trying to be a hard ass about this, it’s more pointing out this thing you always do. Even in another thread, someone made a great point, and you stated how it was so much more profound and better than hundreds of other posts the last few days. Sure, he made a great point, but your comment was douchy. Annoying. Unnecessary.

You do provide good links and make good posts sometimes like everyone else. Just saying, leave those unnecessary asides out of it, we’re all cool.

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I love coach Cliff. I’m very aware of his worts. I know the reality of what we’re getting. I’m not even really advocating for his return, but he’s my oddly lovable goofball of a coach who has a tendency to speak his mind, be very dry and blunt, but also command the respect and appreciation within the locker room.

I’m not ashamed. I’m a sucker for Cliff, and I also hate myself. Strong correlation between those two variables.

This doesn’t feel like the year for a coaching change anyways. We’re in a transition year and I think Cliff is grounding. In his own weird way.

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I like Cliff too, but if he’s your number 2, you’re in a great spot. If he’s your HC, you’re always going to be wanting more. That said, we’re fortunate to have him as a good, safe pair of hands.

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Yes! I’ve always said, he’s my ideal assistant coach.