Hornets' Clifford: 'We can't play where every play is to Al (Jefferson)'
After winning just 33 games last season, the Charlotte Hornets are looking to change up.
The first thing on the Hornets' agenda for the upcoming season: diversifying their post-oriented offense anchored by Al Jefferson. That formula yielded the 28th-ranked offense in the league last year.
Hornets head coach Steve Clifford stressed the need to improve in a media luncheon Tuesday.
"Hopefully more five-man movement and quick decision-making," Clifford said, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
That starts by diversifying the offense and lending Jefferson a hand.
"(Jefferson) is by far our best offensive player," Clifford added. "He's 10 years of 19 (points) and 10 (rebounds). But we can't play where every play is to Al."
Jefferson was fantastic in his first season with the Hornets two years ago. He averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game and earned All-NBA third-team honors for his efforts. Charlotte won 43 games that year and managed to break their three-year playoff drought.
The heavy workload wore on the 30-year-old, however, as Jefferson's health and performance dropped off last season. Jefferson's averages slipped to 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds, and his shooting percentage dipped below 49 percent for the first time in his 11-year career. He also missed 17 games after sustaining a calf injury.
Granted, Jefferson's decline didn't fully account for the Hornets' slide. Several key players - Kemba Walker, Cody Zeller, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - also missed prolonged stretches due to injuries. Furthermore, Lance Stephenson, who was supposed to be the Hornets' marquee signing, toiled through an absolutely miserable season.
To that end, Hornets general manager Rich Cho restocked the cupboards to give Clifford more options to work with on offense. Offseason additions like Nicolas Batum, Frank Kaminsky, and Jeremy Lin should give the Hornets a much-needed boost of shooting and playmaking to flank Jefferson.
Batum, for one, is slated to shoulder a greater share of responsibilities on offense.
"He's in a similar place to where (Hedo) Turkoglu was in Orlando as far as size and exceptional feel for the game," Clifford said of Batum. "If he's open, he shoots it. If he's not, he'll drive. He's as instinctual as you can ask of a player, and you can't coach that."
The Hornets could be looking at a return to the postseason if they manage to improve their offense. Despite their struggles, Charlotte ranked in the top 10 in terms of defensive rating for a second-straight season. They just need a competent offense to match.