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Knicks: Five Biggest Challenges Facing Jeff Hornacek This Season

By Geoffrey Campbell

Jan 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek reacts from the sideline as they take not the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek reacts from the sideline as they take not the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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What will the biggest challenges be for New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek in 2016-17?

Jan 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek reacts from the sideline as they take not the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

After a busy offseason, Jeff Hornacek and the New York Knicks are eager to see how their finalized roster will fare during the 2016-17 season. While training camp is still weeks away, Hornacek is aware of the challenges of bringing together a completely revamped roster.

Among many new faces, Hornacek has also enlisted the services of assistant coaches Howard Eisley, Jerry Sichting, and Corey Gaines to join Kurt Rambis, Joshua Longstaff, and David Bliss.

The NBA season is an 82-game grind. Both Hornacek and his staff will look to improve on last year’s 32-win season while bringing both excitement and playoff basketball back to Madison Square Garden.

In contrast, early projections from ESPN’s 2016 Summer Forecast have the Knicks winning 40 games and missing the playoffs for a fourth year in a row.

NBA analysts and scouts are wary of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah’s health. Additionally, Carmelo Anthony will be 32, and while he’s improved his overall team play, it’s hard to believe he will continue to be an elite scorer averaging 25 to 30 points a night.

With most fans expecting a playoff berth, Hornacek will dive head first into the media buzzsaw that is New York.

The following is a list of the five biggest challenges Hornacek will face as head coach.

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