New York Knicks: Pick and roll should be a key on offense

4. Past Success

The Phoenix Suns threw Jeff Hornacek a curveball when it went all-in on the point guard movement. Rather than equipping Hornacek with two traditional guards, it fitted him with two—and, come 2014-15, three—point guards who needed starting-caliber playing time.

Although it was an uphill battle with a somewhat underwhelming roster, Hornacek experienced resounding success with the Suns.

In 2013-14, Hornacek led Phoenix to 48 wins—just one season and minimal roster changes after it won 25 games in 2012-13. In 2014-15, Hornacek had the Suns on pace to make the playoffs before the front office blew the roster up at the trade deadline.

In both instances, Hornacek placed a significant emphasis on utilizing on and off-ball screens—a decision that became the foundation for the offense.

For perspective, the players with the most starts for the 48-win Suns team in 2013-14 were Channing Frye (82), P.J. Tucker (81), Miles Plumlee (79), Goran Dragic (75), and Gerald Green (48). Eric Bledsoe, a projected starter, missed 39 games that season.

If Hornacek can utilize the pick and roll to success with that roster, then it stands to reason that he can do even better with the New York Knicks.