It wasn't just the 30 years of experience that convinced Charlotte Coach Paul Silas to hire him.

It wasn't even the way he had coaxed a still-wet-behind-the-ears team to the NBA Finals six years ago that impressed Silas.

It wasn't even the fact that he still lives and breathes the game.

It was what he told Silas at the end of the three days they spent together this summer discussing the job.