New York Knicks: 5 Reasons NY Will Make The Playoffs

5. The Right Coach

In 2015-16, the New York Knicks did an excellent job of making things more difficult than they needed to be on offense. New York rarely scored points in the paint, didn’t embrace the 3-point shot, and couldn’t formulate much of a transition offense.

Though some remain skeptical, the arrival of head coach Jeff Hornacek is exactly what the Knicks needed to address these flaws.

The Knicks were dead last in the NBA with 35.8 points in the paint per game. New York was also dead last with 8.4 fast break points per game, and No. 29 with 12.1 transition points per game.

In other words, the Knicks didn’t push the pace, get out in the open court, or finish at the rim—and that’s where Hornacek comes in.

Hornacek told starting point guard Derrick Rose that the Knicks will make it a point to run the pick-and-roll in 2016-17, per Lang Whitaker of NBA.com. That’s a breath of fresh air after New York ranked dead last in points scored by the pick and roll ball handler, and No. 26 in points via the dive man in 2015-16.

Hornacek is also known as a coach who likes to push the pace, which should help New York become significantly more efficient on offense in 2016-17.

Next: Breaking Through