Transition Offense
In 2015-16, no team was worse than the New York Knicks at pushing the pace and generating points on the fast break. Team president Phil Jackson addressed that unfortunate truth by hiring Jeff Hornacek to be the Knicks’ new head coach.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, coach Hornacek is challenging Porzingis to help lead the fast break.
"“We’re having him run down the middle of the court if he’s the first big [to reach the paint in transition]. And then if he doesn’t get it, he’s got to figure out where to go. He has the ability and he has the permission to either stay in the post or float out to the 3-point line,” Hornacek said."
New York can’t be any worse in transition than it was last season.
The Knicks ranked dead last in the NBA with an average of 8.4 fast break points per game. New York was No. 28 in Pace Factor, which measures the number of possessions a team utilizes per game.
Hornacek is encouraging the Knicks to push the pace more than they did a season ago, and Porzingis should benefit greatly.
The Knicks aren’t going to look like the Seven Seconds or Less Phoenix Suns, but they will generate more offense in transition. Porzingis running the floor and taking passes from Brandon Jennings and Derrick Rose will improve his production, efficiency, and confidence.
Good luck stopping a 7’3″ athlete with a full head of steam and full extension on the fast break.