Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Pros And Cons Of Jeff Hornacek’s Tenure Thus Far

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek directs his team during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek directs his team during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Dec 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks injured players shooting guard Courtney Lee (left) and center Joakim Noah watch from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks injured players shooting guard Courtney Lee (left) and center Joakim Noah watch from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Resilience

The New York Knicks are only 20 games into the 2016-17 NBA regular season and have already been dealt an unfortunate hand. Multiple players have missed multiple games due to injury and a number of individuals have underperformed.

Through all of the misfortune and disarray, Hornacek has the Knicks two games above .500 after 20 games—the deepest into a season New York has been two games above .500 since 2012-13.

The Knicks have already played 10 games without Lance Thomas, four without Joakim Noah, and two without Courtney Lee. Lee’s injury came early in a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves that the Knicks still managed to win.

New York has left a number of wins on the table with poor fourth quarter execution, but the fact that it’s above .500 is a testament to Hornacek’s coaching and leadership.

Hornacek has been receptive to what Knicks players believe should transpire and incorporative of multiple systems. He’s overcome the absence of two starters and one of the most valued reserves on the roster to win 11 of his first 20 games.

It hasn’t been perfect, but the Knicks are proving to be a resilient team—a promising sign for when the postseason push truly begins in 2017.

Home/Knicks News