April 26, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (10), point guard Steve Blake (5), assistant coach Chuck Person, head coach Mike D
From the Lakers announcement they would not retain Bernie Bickerstaff or Chuck Person, to Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Steve Clifford is interviewing for a head coaching position with the Bucks and Bobcats – the assistant coaches of the Mike Brown, Phil Jackson era are slowly making their way out of LA.
The all-knowing Woj reports that Bucks general manager John Hammond was interested in the service of Stan Van Gundy – alongside the Hawks and damn near every other team in the league – but Van Gundy declined. He did, however, give Clifford a glowing recommendation, as the two spent five years together in Orlando.
Clifford is typically regarded as great defensive mind, serving under Tom Thibodeau and both Van Gundys will land you that distinction. It’s certainly an interesting replacement for the defensively fixated and offensively inept Scott Skiles. But hey, what do I know.
On the other hand, the Bobcats need, desperately need, a defensive oriented mind at the helm. Their defense was bad, like really bad – worst defensive efficiency in the league bad.
Apparently Mike D’Antoni hopes to keep Clifford on his staff. Yeah, good luck swingin’ that one Antoni.
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