Charlotte Hornets HC Steve Clifford (10-6-22)

Tomorrow night, old Greensboro Coliseum. The Charlotte hornet posting the boss and Celtics for preseason game and right now were visiting with the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets who used to be the old head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Of course Steve Clifford joining us in coach. I bet it's not every day you've been in the league so long that you get to venture into a new venue you haven't coached before, especially one that's as historic as the Greensboro Coliseum.

I get it's preseason but have you ever ventured into the Coliseum before. I mean, I've been over there but I never coach or game they're looking for to Steve Clifford with us 730 to Paul's time tomorrow.

I can't believe I never asked you about this in your first tour of duty, but I'm an East Carolina graduate and do I have it right that your last college job was at ECU or will there on their career.

Remember they had terrific football team that year. David Garrard was the quarterback and I want to say I believe I'm writing saying I think they won the multiple did David Garrard 1999 and I was thinking a lot about 99 because last week the state was on edge.

Following the path of hurricane Ian and in this state, as I'm sure you know, we often mark history by big storms.

In fact, I don't take a lot of people know that hurricane Hugo its effect on Charlotte led to the naming of the hornets mascot being named Hugo that's true and then went and 99 any time that years brought up which was your year at ECU. That was the year hurricane Floyd hit that was the scariest storm I've ever experienced. Personally what you remember about it. I remember there almost real careful and that watery certain area or Greenville made it impossible to know to get around actually I want to say they shut down the school for a while, right. A lot of it was issued with the water with some of the hog farms you know just different got into the system so dangerous. 99. Going back to football played home games at Doughty Ficklin Stadium out there and they were getting set to host a top 10 ranked team in the country in Miami. So thanks to the kindness of the folks at NC State.

They played the game at Carter Finley Stadium and after ECU one the fans stormed the field and tore down NC State's goalpost after beating Miami that day. Steve Clifford gave all did you get on the field. No game, no that's unbelievable. Steve Clifford is with us hornets head coach go see the hornets tomorrow night against the Boston Celtics at the Greensboro Coliseum. Let's talk about a couple things you inherit coming back to Charlotte, namely the mellow ball he often is described by guys I know in the league as a unique talent not rare, unique, 101.

What specific skill set. Do you see with him that your time in the lead.

You haven't seen a heck of a lot of well I would periodically call handling shotmaking shock creation.

You don't get the great natural feel for the game which is also you know, giving him the perfect size for the is also he lives in the pain very difficult to keep them out of the pay whether to start your transition picture role or very bill that very little loan to get in there without miles bridges in the lineup. How much more of a green light. Do you think he has to score for you I mean you don't you score a lot last year I think that you will be around them have already learned very very focused on becoming online, improving in every area you know running team defense is terrific rebounder so I don't you know one of one of his beauties is Dr. Sr. Howard is a great teammate very upbeat person. His teammates like to be around them. He has a relationship with everybody is just a very, very positive guys.

So he brings a lot to the other side to what you said unique talent, the identity of the teams that you had when you were here in Charlotte before really strong physical defenses. We didn't see a lot of that.

The last couple years. From Charlotte you one of the first things went to a full mellow that is impressed. He was as defensive rebounding, for example – how long does it take for a coach is what a coach wants to implant implement an identity actually take hold on a team yeah you know what point so far defensively all but we have been given a little bit shorthanded and in practice they work hard at it. I meet the trick for me is you know were trying to do things in a way that will improve on already. Really really good off and then get the defense will like talk, talk, even if we do, and will be a good team on and you know it will take some time but I think the guy good attitude and are working hard have you ever seen or I guess. When is the last time you seen the MBA as talented as it is right now because I see more than a few people pointing out that when you go team.

The team, especially in the Eastern conference. There is an easy out anywhere and it seemed that just even a few years ago that was not the case. The people were talking about the lease, not deep enough. What you think are loaded right now with The more you bring a guy like Mitchell go to Cleveland as our that was already good. You know you look at the cop again like cocktail lugging teams from a year ago and everybody's very good so you know the trick is to get into the playoffs on and then again, I think that's where the balance play will come in, you know, most both teams which you can be taught. Neither all contribute in the hot 12 to 15 and the other you're going to have a chance to make and not comparable anything on tape at Duke warrant practice early on in preseason really stand out to you about Mark Williams is the role-playing is there a moment halves really impressed you early on what I would say more than just one plate, just more than nature of how we know very bright.

Good work. He picked a deep filled up quickly and I hear the really really bright future on.

You know, I think you can be obviously a defense of private college and then also he is working very hard skills and his range shooting and so I think like a lot of players that first year or two in the MBA unit of the skills improve, because you have a lot more time in the gym and I see that happen with Mark. Also hornets coach Steve Clifford with us last thing on the way out since going to be in Greensboro tomorrow 730 at the Coliseum against the Celtics preseason action.

You also inherited Jordan certain camp is the swarms coach down here.

He was the summer league coaches well for you guys how much synergy does there need to be between the G league coach and the MBA coach in order to make things work when guys go up to the big the big team and back down here to Greensboro.

The really critical area for any organization. I am enjoying working with George a great.

You did a great job with summer league key is around here in September and now perpetrated with us. He and his whole staff without daily and very bright, very hard-working, very, very good, should not were fortunate to have look forward to seeing you tomorrow night coach.

It's good to have you back in the Carolinas Steve Clifford joining us to go out and see the hornets play Celtics tomorrow night for the time to catch up with you before the season. Thank you