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New York Knicks: Who Should Thrive Under Jeff Hornacek?

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek looks on against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek looks on against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten (1) before action against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. The Cavaliers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten (1) before action against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. The Cavaliers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Tony Wroten

Position: Point Guard
Age: 23 (4/13/1983)
Slash Line: .338/.176/.541
Season Averages: 18.0 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.5 APG

Tony Wroten is a playmaking guard whose size enables him to operate from both the 1 and the 2. Thus, it stands to reason that Wroten could end up being the single biggest beneficiary of Jeff Hornacek’s arrival.

The reason Wroten is No. 5, and not higher on this list, is that he’s signed to a non-guaranteed contract—a sign that he still needs to earn his roster spot.

I’m fairly confident that Wroten will be with the Knicks in 2016-17, and in a prominent role. He can play both the 1 and the 2, and has the size and skill set to fit the duel point guard sets Hornacek ran in Phoenix.

For those unfamiliar, as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Wroten excelled as a penetrating guard who could turn the corner and erupt into the paint for explosive finishes.

Head coach Brett Brown compared Wroten’s downhill penetrating and finishing ability to a, “Mini LeBron James.” As a 6’6″ and 205-pound slasher who physically overwhelms point guards, and is far too quick for shooting guards to stay in front of, his virtues are significant.

The good news for those concerned about Wroten’s jumper: he’s been working with New York Knicks great Allan Houston to correct it.

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