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Power ranking NBA head coaches: 2015-16 season

By John Buhler

Oct 23, 2015; Manchester, NH, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens gestures from the sidelines during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Verizon Wireless Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Manchester, NH, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens gestures from the sidelines during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Verizon Wireless Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford calls a play during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford calls a play during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets

Steve Clifford earned himself a reputation as a defensive guru before taking over the Charlotte franchise in 2013-14. In his first year in the Queen City, Clifford led the then-Charlotte Bobcats to a surprising Eastern Conference Playoffs berth.

However in Charlotte’s first season as the re-branded Hornets, the team entered 2014-15 with too high of expectations and the team finished a bad 33-49. While the defense remained the bread and butter for Charlotte, finishing in the top ten in team defensive rating in his first two years (5th in 2013-14, 9th in 2014-15), the offense under Clifford had been bottom-tier (24th in 2013-14, 28th in 2014-15).

So of course Charlotte in the third year of the Steve Clifford Era becomes an offensive-first team. The 2015-16 Charlotte Hornets are 4th in offensive team rating (107.2) and 14th in defensive team rating (103.7).

Clifford has his Hornets team in the mix for an Eastern Conference playoff run in 2015-16 with the most consistent basketball culture in Charlotte in well over a decade. If his teams can become better on offense and learn to find an identity on that end of the court in the small ball era, with his immense defensive knowledge, Charlotte can compete in the East under Steve Clifford.

Given how bad Charlotte basketball has been since expansion, most in the Queen City should feel grateful of their current head coach.

Next: 21. Jeff Hornacek

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