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Steve Clifford has all clear from doctors following 2018 season health scare

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 30: Orlando Magic introduce new Head Coach Steve Clifford during a press conference on May 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 30: Orlando Magic introduce new Head Coach Steve Clifford during a press conference on May 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Steve Clifford missed 21 games as he suffered from headaches and sleep deprivation. He said he learned a lot from his recovery and is ready to go now.

Steve Clifford was back where he belonged this week in Las Vegas.

He was not the lead man in the Orlando Magic’s run up to Summer League but he was there on the court beginning the hard work of rebuilding the team. A franchise he once helped guide to the NBA Finals. His introductory press conference had the whiff of a homecoming, but also the weight of a daunting task ahead of him.

Things would not be easy to do that. And Clifford has his own questions to answer. Some that he slowly put to rest last year.

Still, as the Magic hired Clifford last year, they knew they were getting someone who had health concerns of his own.

Clifford missed 21 games last season for the Charlotte Hornets after suffering from headaches and sleep deprivation.

The NBA is not necessarily a profession that affords coaches a lot of sleep. And the coaching profession itself is not one that attracts people who do not like working long hours.

But Clifford assures everyone he is in a much better place. He spoke openly about his treatment and the recognition his lifestyle had to change. And that it would not interfere with him taking over the Magic.

"“Personally, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” Clifford explaind during his introductory press conference. “What I learned is two things. Number one, you need to sleep. I had just worked on stats since my first year in the NBA where I worked with a lot of guys who had incredible work capacity and we got in early and stayed late. It’s the way I lived for a long time. The second part of it is what you learned for me anyway the way I could live and work at 51 and 52, I could not at 54, 55 and 56.”"

That has been a line Clifford has used throughout his preparation to becoming the coach. The body simply cannot work as long or as hard as it ages. He has had to adjust his life to keep himself healthy. It has been a bit of a reprioritizing of his life.

Clifford admitted that his absence hurt his team. He often called last year’s 36-46 Hornets team his most talented team in his time with Charlotte. They certainly underachieved. Statistically they once again played like a .500 team with an even net rating.

The 21 games he missed and the disruption that caused certainly played at least a small role in that. Clifford believes that, at least.

Clifford called his absence the most difficult thing he has had to do professionally. But he has clearly come out of it for the better.

Clifford said he had been dealing with headaches for several years before needing to take the time off. He said he regretted not taking advantage of the advice doctors gave him or listening to the amount of pain his body was in.

All that seems in the past now. clifford has made changes to his life to account for what happened. He can put his focus again on the Magic and his team.

That is the coach’s curse, a tireless need to be there for his team and help them prepare. There is never a stone a coach should not unturn to try to find an advantage.

But Clifford is working to find a better balance from this itch to his personal health. It seems right now Clifford has found what will for him. He is open about his health needs and the changes he had to make.

For this week, Steve Clifford has taken a step back, allowing assistant coach Pat Delany to take the reigns of the Summer League team. Clifford helped install and teach the basics of what he wants his team to do in the early practices. He is surely there to help the team in meetings and practices as they prepare for their next game.

But his job now is to sit back and evaluate. He has to continue formulating his plan for resurrecting the Magic franchise. He has already put in the work studying the team that is returning and meeting with several players — including the recently re-signed Aaron Gordon.

It will all lead up to the grinder of the NBA season beginning in October and training camp in September.

Next: Isaac, Bamba shine in Summer League opener

Clifford appears to be healthy and ready to go when it begins.