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New York Knicks: Key Elements of Jeff Hornacek’s Offense

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek is shown with players during a time out in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek is shown with players during a time out in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Jerian Grant (13) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (23) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Magic won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Jerian Grant (13) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (23) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Magic won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Attacking Closeouts

If a guard is to thrive under Jeff Hornacek, they must be able to create penetration. The good news for said players is that doing so doesn’t necessarily require a myriad of dribble moves.

Instead, the perimeter players must be able to attack closeouts and make the right play on the drive—a significant upgrade from isolation.

Hornacek’s system enables straight-line finishers to thrive in a slashing capacity. It also creates headaches for off-ball defenders, as they must decide whether to collapse to pressure the slasher or remain attached to their assignment.

Collapsing will leave a capable shooter open along the 3-point line, and deciding otherwise will create opportunities to draw fouls and finish in the paint.

For the Knicks, athletic point guards Jerian Grant and Tony Wroten should benefit from this aspect of the system. Both can call their quickness a key strength, and both have the explosiveness to finish in traffic.

This should also create opportunities for Carmelo Anthony to score with significantly more efficiency than he was able to in 2015-16.

Next: Patented Play

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