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Cliff Notes: Early Evaluation, Uncertainty Around Bridges, Miller's Defense + More

Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford met with the media following Saturday's practice.
Schuyler Callihan|
Cliff Notes: Early Evaluation, Uncertainty Around Bridges, Miller's Defense + More
Cliff Notes: Early Evaluation, Uncertainty Around Bridges, Miller's Defense + More

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Charlotte Hornets

Thoughts through two preseason games

"The one common thing is when we play with good pace and purpose, we create good offense. Both games, really for the first three quarters we were pretty good. Our rebounding which in Miami was not very good, it was really good in Washington. We're fouling a lot and it's hard to play good defense when you foul a lot. And in Miami, we got the ball going to the basket well. In Washington, we didn't. Actually, OKC is one of the better teams in the league at keeping the ball out of the paint so it's actually an ideal team for us to play."

Gordon Hayward update

"I think he'll be fine. He did the non-contact stuff today, but he wasn't able to do the contact stuff. We're going to play tomorrow, practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, so hopefully he'll be back Monday."

The uncertainty around Miles Bridges

"I just do it day by day. Listen, when you're in this league, there's two things you learn right away -- one, don't look at the schedule. Don't look and say we've got a tough February. Just do it day by day. And in terms of players, I come in every day and talk to (trainer) Joe Sharpe and ask who do we have today. And that's who you coach."

Brandon Miller's defense

"For a rookie? Exceptional. All of it. Team defense which is hard. Pick and roll, he had a couple he missed rolls and he knows right away. The hardest part and it's got nothing to do with coaching but because of the age and the skill level of the players, pick and roll defense in the NBA versus college is night and day. That's the hardest thing for all of them. Look, he's got a super high IQ, he sees the game, and he competes well. So I've been more than pleased with the way he picks things up."

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.

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