New York Knicks: Channing Frye Praises Jeff Hornacek
Former New York Knicks big man and current NBA Finals participant Channing Frye had high praise for Jeff Hornacek.
Previously uncertain, many critics are becoming fans of the New York Knicks’ hiring of Jeff Hornacek as head coach. The excitement is still tempered, however, as Knicks fans have learned to lower the bar after 14 years of consistent inferiority.
One of the most respected veterans Hornacek whom had the privilege of coaching in Phoenix, Channing Frye, believes Knicks fans should embrace the new coach with open arms.
Frye knows something about how difficult it can be to find success in New York. He was drafted by the Knicks in 2005, played in New York until 2007, and received both the adoration of Knicks fans, and the unforgiving criticism via the media.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Frye scoffed at the idea that Hornacek will be unable to handle the pressure of coaching in New York.
"“Great guy, great coach,” Frye told The Post before Game 5 Sunday. “I thought he did a great job of getting the most of a young team, being able to inspire guys, to play hard on a consistent basis and put guys in situations where [they] could flourish and learn. He’s a defensive-minded coach, but also wants to makes sure guys are out and running and playing the right way.”“He wasn’t like a rookie coach,” Frye said. “He’s wise beyond his years. I think he’ll do a great job in New York. He’s not worried about the pressure, not worried about anything other than winning and making his players better. He does a good job of being a player’s coach but also at the same time demanding excellence and playing hard every single night. I’d vouch for Jeff every day.”"
“I’d vouch for Jeff every day,” is exactly what you want to hear from a veteran player.
Hornacek played for some of the greatest coaches in NBA history. The most prominent names on that list are Jerry Sloan and Cotton Fitzsimmons, but he also played under Phoenix Suns legend John MacLeod, and, briefly, Doug Moe.
During that time, Hornacek learned how to run an offense and motivate players defensively. He was also given the wisdom of how to handle criticism.
That’s a vital virtue in New York.
As the Knicks gear up for one of the most important seasons in franchise history, Hornacek has his work cut out for him. The Knicks aren’t terribly far from being a postseason-caliber team, but even with an influx in talent, making the playoffs will be no easy task.
As Frye alluded to, Knicks fans should commit to a closer evaluation of just how positively influential Hornacek was during his Suns tenure.
"“We won 48 games, so he was doing something right,” Frye said. “Goran [Dragic] and I had the No. 1-rated screen and roll. [Eric] Bledsoe and Miles Plumee were doing great things. We were 10th in scoring for a team that wasn’t supposed to win 10 games. It was pretty damn good.”"
All things considered, the Knicks have scoring weapons whom Hornacek should be able to craft a high-powered offense around.
Carmelo Anthony is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. His remarkable versatility as a scorer enabled him to win the 2013 scoring title, and has helped him amass 22,497 career points in 902 regular season games played.
For those who’d prefer not to do the math, that gives Anthony a career average of 24.94 points per game—No. 13 all-time.
Kristaps Porzingis, meanwhile, could play a similar role to Frye as a sharpshooting big man with 3-point range. Porzingis has a diverse offensive game that allows him to do more, however, including a burgeoning arsenal of post moves, impressive athleticism, and quality handles.
Robin Lopez is a versatile scorer, as well, and the likes of Jerian Grant and Tony Wroten have significant upside.
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Perhaps it’s time to get excited about the head coach of the New York Knicks.