Hornets' Clifford expects better defense, worse offense

The Charlotte Hornets were ninth in the NBA in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season, when they finished tied for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. But head coach Steve Clifford expects some changes on both sides of the ball after the roster's offseason retooling - both good and bad.

"We probably don't have as many points in our lineup," he admitted Tuesday at a media luncheon, according to The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell. "We lost a lot of offense, but I think we'll figure that out. We have potential to be better defensively."

The bench boss is banking on a healthy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - a solid perimeter defender who missed the majority of last season with shoulder injuries - and sophomore Frank Kaminsky, who Clifford says has been "really working at his defensive technique."

Clifford's also expecting to get a boost at both ends from new acquisition Roy Hibbert, whose career he hopes can be revived in Charlotte.

"(Hibbert is) a basket-protector, but he can also play offense. If he gets anywhere near what he was at Indiana, he gives us a dimension we haven't had. ... He can really pass and make good decisions."

The Hornets also added Ramon Sessions and Marco Belinelli, retained free agents Nic Batum and Marvin Williams, and let Al Jefferson, Courtney Lee, and Jeremy Lin walk.

Clifford said the latter represents the biggest blow to his club's offense, as Lin had a knack for getting to the rim.

All things considered, he says the team brass "did really well" this offseason, as he tries to lead the new-look Hornets deep into the playoffs after they fell a win shy of advancing to the second round in 2015-16.