Steve Clifford Says Hornets Play No Defense: ‘Not One Guy’

Hornets coach Steve Clifford didn’t take questions from reporters following Wednesday’s 141-134 home loss to the Pistons, but he did have plenty to say.

Most of it wasn’t good, and all of it pertained to the Hornets’ defense — or amazing lack thereof.

“Until we care about something besides how many points we score, we’re not gonna win much,” Clifford told reporters. “Can’t play like that. Our offense was good, that’s five out of the last seven games we’ve been pretty good on offense.”

But as Clifford added, that alone doesn’t mean much.

“We are playing no defense, not one guy. There’s not a bright spot,” he said. “We don’t run back on defense, we don’t guard the ball, our pick-and-roll stuff … We’re right back to where we started, ground zero.

“All we want to be is, ‘Let’s try to outscore the other team.’ That doesn’t work in the NBA. Never works.”

While the Hornets (7-22) have been without point guard LaMelo Ball for most of the season, he returned Wednesday and all it did was help them score more.

Without Ball and forward Miles Bridges — who remains a restricted free agent following a domestic violence lawsuit — the Hornets have looked nothing like last season. At this point, it’s safe to say they have actually been one of the NBA’s biggest disappointments.

One way to fix that is to start giving the defensive effort for which their coach is clearly pleading.

"Until we care about something besides how many points we score, we're not going to win much."

Steve Clifford on tonight's OT loss to the Pistons.@Hornets | #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/fjjQR1tL06

— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) December 15, 2022