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Photo courtesy of The Undefeated
For the first time ever, Off The Glass writers will be making some executive decisions regarding their favourite (or least favourite) teams, in the form of one suggested team hiring and a single team firing.
While all basketball fans can complain about the players on the court, we here at OTG are turning the blame game into an off-the-court naming exercise, where we can share our gripes with non-player personnel and offer meaningful suggestions for improvement.
Every organizational position is available here, aside from the players. Coaches, assistants, executives, video coordinators, scouts, even the mascots; everyone's resumes are on the table.
Without further ado, here is today's Hire or Fire piece on the Charlotte Hornets.
Hire: Emeka Okafor (Player Development Coach/Big Man Coach)
The Hornets are clearly in rebuild mode, especially after parting ways with the face of their franchise this summer. Kemba Walker is now a member of the Boston Celtics. Brought in to fill his shoes, and given an insane amount of money for what he’s shown so far, is Terry Rozier.
There is a lot of youth on this roster and they could use another veteran, even if it’s not a player but rather someone brought in to the front office to help the players develop.
This is where the franchise’s first ever draft pick comes into play. He’s a free agent and sadly, he has to accept the fact that on the court he doesn’t have much left in the tank. Okafor has only played in a grand total of 26 NBA games since the 2012-13 season.
That doesn’t stop him from being a valuable piece to a team, just in a different role. The current roster only has two players that are at least 30 years old, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams. So what he brings as a professional and what he’s seen in his time in the league will be instrumental to player development.
Add in his statistical rankings in franchise history and there’s no reason Charlotte wouldn’t want to bring him in. He’s in the top-ten in minutes, field goals made, field goal percentage and points.
He would provide a lot as a big man coach as he’s the franchise’s all-time rebounding leader and is second in blocked shots. With Willy Hernangomez having a legit chance as the starting center, you couldn’t ask for a better mentor.
Emeka needs to hang up his shoes and start a new career in the NBA. This is the spot for him.
Fire: Mitch Kupchak (General Manager)
Alright, let’s get one thing straight right here. I mean absolutely no disrespect to Mitch Kupchak, with all he’s done in this league. Also, I understand that the majority of bad that’s involved with the team still tracks back to Rich Cho.
However, this is a business and we all know how fast someone can be out the door. He didn’t help his cause at all when he let the face of the franchise, Kemba Walker, go somewhere else. Not only did Kemba leave but his response was to overpay Terry Rozier? Terry Rozier? You’re not helping your cause, Mitch. That fact is amplified with team owner Michael Jordan breathing down his neck and calling the shots. The GOAT is not exactly known for his patience.
The season is just around the corner and maybe he deserves to see it out but in my opinion, he has one foot out the door. Be careful where you step, Mr. Kupchak.