Charlotte Hornets 2010s all-decade team
By Luke Tucker
Head Coach and General Manager
Steve Clifford, HC
By far the winningest coach of the decade, Steve Clifford led the Bobcats/Hornets to the playoffs two times in his five years in Charlotte, and nearly won the franchise’s first postseason series since 2002. Clifford ranks second in franchise history in games won, and was the second longest-lasting head coach in Charlotte’s history. Known for his defensive mindset, Clifford’s teams were consistently some of the better ones in the league at that end of the floor. James Borrego is showing promise as the Hornets’ newest head coach, however, Clifford often isn’t given the respect he rightfully deserves.
Mitch Kupchak, GM
The Hornets had just three general managers during the 2010s, and one of them was Rich Cho. Based purely on the fact that Mitch Kupchak isn’t Cho, he joins Clifford on the all-decade team. Aside from that, Kupchak actually has done well in his two years as Charlotte’s GM. He hired Borrego as head coach, drafted multiple young stars in Devonte’ Graham and PJ Washington, and has avoided inking any terrible contracts. Perhaps the lone blemish in Kupchak’s Hornets tenure is that he allowed Kemba Walker to leave without getting anything in return.