Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford has never been much of a sleeper: Maybe five hours a night tops. With a job such as his, you have too much to do, too much to plan, to worry about getting eight hours in bed.
This was different in a terrifying manner. During the Hornets’ trip to Toronto, in late November, Clifford’s head was pounding in such excruciating a manner that sleep -- even for 15 minutes -- was impossible. He had experienced severe headaches before, particularly as he was going to bed or sometimes in the afternoon before a game.