On Wednesday, the New York Knicks fired coach Jeff Hornacek after two seasons on the job. Additionally, the Orlando Magic parted ways with coach Frank Vogel yesterday after his second season there, too.
At his end-of-season news conference on Wednesday, Clifford expressed some hope about his future of staying with the team despite its run of non-playoff seasons. He said this was the most talented team he's had in Charlotte, which made finishing under .500 all the more disappointing.
"The NBA is about winning in the playoffs, so if you want to look back at our five years I do feel very good about where we are and how we are perceived versus where it was five years ago," Clifford said. "We made great gains. To be relevant and respected in this league is a long way from where we started."
Before becoming coach in Charlotte in 2013, Clifford spent 13 years as an NBA assistant coach with the Magic, Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
