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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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Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Holding Carmelo Anthony Accountable

Over his near six seasons with the New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony has played for three head coaches, and under Kurt Rambis as the interim head coach. His two best seasons were with Mike Woodson, when the Knicks won their last division title.

Woodson and Anthony had a great relationship. The word “accountable” was often used during Woodson’s years as coach. Fans were excited as they saw Anthony truly commit on the defensive end of the floor.

Additionally, Anthony was surrounded by veterans like Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, Marcus Camby, and Kurt Thomas. Although those players may not have made a huge impact in the box score, they did in the locker room.

Now, Hornacek is charged with continuing to foster Anthony’s growth as an overall basketball player and leader.

Phil Jackson has helped him by adding good character and hard working players to inspire a winning culture. Hornacek, generally known as a players coach, demonstrated, in Phoenix, that he may do well in this department.

In an interview with GrizzlyBearBlues of Sports Nation, Dave King (managing editor of Bright Side of the Sun) states:

"“Off the court, Hornacek is an everyman who connects with regular people because he shows them respect and doesn’t try to talk over their heads. On the court, he’s innovative and engaged in the game and constantly teaching/instructing the players in an encouraging way.”"

However, with a younger team in Phoenix, Hornacek struggled to hold players accountable and have them buy into his system.

King explains that, despite Hornacek’s amiable personality, part of the conflict in Phoenix stemmed from sitting players for receiving technical fouls and not sacrificing for the team.

Luckily, all of the Knicks new signings have said the right things. Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings all come into the team with chips on their shoulders and have said that they will do whatever it takes to win in New York.

However, the Knicks’ ability to win and make a playoff push will depend on Anthony’s ability to play both sides of the ball and lead by example.

As per NBA.com, Anthony held opponents to 42.1 percent shooting in 2015-16. Hornacek will need to help Anthony remain consistent in this area if the Knicks are to make it back to the playoffs.

Next: Chalk Talk

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