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New York Knicks: Notes From The Open Practice

By Chris Priczak

Oct 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek (L) speaks to his players on the bench during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek (L) speaks to his players on the bench during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a break in between preseason games, the New York Knicks hosted their annual open practice. Here’s what you need to know about the fan-friendly event.

Coming off a preseason loss to the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks hosted their annual open practice the following day. The open practice gave fans an opportunity to see how the New York Knicks prepare for their games.

There were a few Knicks greats—John Starks, Earl Monroe, Allan Houston, and Herb Williams—in attendance.

Before the open practice started, several fans competed in festivities that involved prizes.

After these festivities were over, the Knicks were introduced to the court. Joakim Noah then addressed the 8,729 fans in attendance and thanked them for coming out to support the team.

Kristaps Porzingis (groin injury) and Chasson Randle (left orbital fracture) didn’t participate in the practice.

The Knicks started off the practice just like any other: by getting their muscles loose, along with a little running. The first drill the Knicks ran was a five-man weave.

“If the ball touches the ground, they have to do it again,” assistant coach Corey Gaines said as he was mic’d up. Not long after, Brandon Jennings dished a bounce pass to Ron Baker.

“Whoa, no bounce passes,” Gaines said.

On the next set, Willy Hernangomez bounced the ball before throwing down the reverse slam. “No bounce passes,” Gaines said again.

The smalls (guards and small forwards) and the bigs then split to separate sides to prepare for the shots they would normally see in games. Some of the things the bigs were working on were elbow shots and drives to the basket, and ice action.

On the other side of the court, the smalls worked on angle pick and rolls, pull-up jump shots, pinch post action, and side pick and rolls.

This was followed by live action where they executed the closeout drill, 12-shot drill, and dummy offense. On many occasions, Gaines addressed the DHO (dribble hand-off).

With Porzingis, Randle, and Derrick Rose not available for the practice, the Knicks mixed around with different units. Throughout the practice, those units ran sets to see how they would perform in potential game action.

Some of those units consisted of Jennings-Lee-Anthony-Hernangomez-Noah, Vujacic-Baker-Thomas-Ndour-Plumlee, Vujacic-Holiday-Kuzminskas-O’Quinn-Amundson, and Baker-Tokoto-Thomas-Ndour-Plumlee.

After the multiple drills, the Knicks ran a few scrimmages with the roster split into two separate teams (white and blue).

New York ended the practice by signing jerseys for several fans. Kyle O’Quinn, who reported on behalf of the MSG Network, had a few interesting questions for Kristaps Porzingis, Maurice Ndour, Willy Hernangomez, and Ron Baker.

Following that, the Knicks held a three-way contest for two courtside seats to an upcoming Knicks game. Each team needed to make three shots (free throw, 3-point, and half court shot). And the team who made all three shots the quickest would win the contest.

The three captains for the teams were Carmelo Anthony (Team One), Kristaps Porzingis (Team Two), and Courtney Lee (Team Three). After the final shot was drained, Team Lee was victorious.

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The New York Knicks concluded the open practice by signing mini basketballs and tossing them into the crowd.

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