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New York Knicks: What Players Are Saying About Jeff Hornacek

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek yells from the sidelines against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 90-75. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek yells from the sidelines against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 90-75. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots over Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots over Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis

If finding an understanding with Carmelo Anthony is the top priority, then second on the agenda is developing Kristaps Porzingis. The New York Knicks selected Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft and are wagering the future of the organization on his upside.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Porzingis believes that Jeff Hornacek approaches the game in all the right ways.

"“I think he’s a very smart coach. He knows how to use his players and that’s exactly what we need,” Porzingis said. “And we’ll see if we can get some more players this offseason. But I think we have enough talent and having [Carmelo Anthony] makes everybody better. So if we know how to go from there, using Melo, myself and involving everybody, using everybody’s strengths and putting it all together, then we’ll be a different team. We’ll be able to succeed.”"

That’s a critical cosign—one that’s complemented by poignant facts.

The most common misconception about Hornacek’s offense is that it only helps the guards. The reality is that the big men play just as big of a role, as they constantly set screens, spot up from beyond the arc, go to the post, and dive off the pick and roll.

While most big men only check one or two of those boxes, Porzingis is adept in all four phases—likely a reason Hornacek’s offense was so appealing to Phil Jackson.

If Hornacek does in New York what he did in Phoenix, Porzingis can make Markieff Morris’ breakout years look like just another day at the office.

More important than the offense is the fact that Hornacek understands the importance of highlighting strengths and hiding weaknesses. Rather than putting players on an island, he coaches to their strengths.

New York needed a coach who could help Porzingis become the superstar he’s capable of becoming. Hornacek is that guy.

Next: Willis Reed

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