Hornets Hire Kupchak, Does Clifford Stay?

Maine's Steve Clifford and his Charlotte Hornets finish the NBA season tomorrow night with a road game vs Indiana. The question around the NBA is - will it be Clifford's last game as coach of the Hornets?

Michael Jordan owns the team and former LA Lakers player and longtime GM Mitch Kupchak is being brought in as president and GM of the Hornets. Many times the new guy wants his own coach.

Clifford has one year left on his current contract. He has taken to Hornets to the NBA playoffs twice but not this year (35-46). Clifford left the team for several weeks to deal with health issues.

Kupchak and Clifford do have a history - Kupchak was Laker GM when Mike D'Antoni was head coach and Clifford was an assistant in LA.

Clifford began his coaching career as boys coach at Woodland High School after graduating from UMaine Farmington where he was a point guard. Clifford coached college basketball for 15 years and has been a NBA coach since 2001. This is his sixth year as head coach with Charlotte.

Many NBA observers believe if Clifford does get fired will get another assistant or head coaching job in the league.