The Charlotte Hornets finally found their head coach, hiring Steve Clifford on Friday.
To answer some immediate questions, yes, it’s that Steve Clifford, and no, it’s not 2013.
Clifford, who coached in Charlotte from 2013-2018, made the playoffs twice during his tenure, losing in the first round on each occasion. One key difference between his last tenure and the upcoming one? The presence of LaMelo Ball, one of the most dynamic players in the league.
Clifford’s hire prompted a slew of jokes and reactions from Hornets fans and the NBA community.
Podcaster Jabari Davis made the connection between Clifford’s return and team owner Michael Jordan’s return to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 — using a picture of the press release Jordan’s agent sent out at the time.