Home Foreign Mike D’Antoni in strong position to land Hornets’ head-coaching job, per report

Mike D’Antoni in strong position to land Hornets’ head-coaching job, per report

May 15, 2022

Mike D’Antoni is in a strong position to land the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job, according to Marc Stein. D’Antoni, the 71-year-old innovator behind the Seven Seconds or Less offense, has coached five NBA teams in his career: the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. The Hornets would be No. 6. D’Antoni led both the Suns and Rockets to the Western Conference finals, but has never reached the NBA Finals.

CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: James Borrego speaks to the media after being hired as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

D’Antoni would be replacing a coach in James Borrego with whom he shares many similarities. Borrego, like D’Antoni, prefers smaller lineups and emphasizes offense. Borrego’s defensive issues were part of what cost him his job with the Hornets, but D’Antoni comes with a number of other positives that seemingly appeal to Charlotte.