New York Knicks fans are in the right to want to see Willy Hernangomez on the court, but Kyle O’Quinn has earned his role and playing time.
The New York Knicks are currently embroiled in the basketball equivalent of a quarterback controversy. Although centers have become somewhat devalued in the modern era, the Knicks have a surplus of talent at the position.
As head coach Jeff Hornacek tampers with his rotations, no position battle has become more prominent than the friendly competition between Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn.
Hernangomez has become a fan favorite in New York, due in large part to his strong play as a rookie in 2016-17. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team on the strength of his uncanny to ability to control the interior with his post play and rebounding.
True as that may be, the reason O’Quinn has received more minutes than Hernangomez in 2017-18 is quite simple: He’s earned his playing time.
This isn’t to say that Hernangomez is undeserving, but instead that New York has a limited supply of minutes to distribute. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 36.5 minutes per game through two outings, and he’s spent that time at power forward.
That leaves a limited amount of minutes to be split between the three centers who are active and prepared to contribute: Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, and O’Quinn.
With Kanter locked in as the starting center, Hornacek has prioritized defense with the backup role. Hernangomez is an outstanding rebounder, but like Kanter, he’s struggled to provide the Knicks with consistency on defense.
While Hernangomez and O’Quinn produce eerily similar numbers on the offensive end of the floor, it’s on defense where the latter has created separation.
O’Quinn finished the 2016-17 regular season with averages of 8.6 defensive rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes. Hernangomez has a slight advantage at 9.0 defensive rebounds per 36, but checks in at 1.0 block and an identical 1.1 steals.
New York likes having an imposing rim protector on the floor when Porzingis heads to the bench, which makes O’Quinn the rational choice over Hernangomez.
Hernangomez and O’Quinn are comparable team defenders, but O’Quinn’s ability to redirect shots is an invaluable tool for a team that’s attempting to develop a defensive-minded identity. He can anchor the second unit, even if that means giving up some measure of production offensively.
Thus, while it may be hard to see Hernangomez riding the pine, O’Quinn has earned his playing time by excelling in the areas that the second-year big man has yet to develop.
It’s also worth noting that O’Quinn has been in the same position as Hernangomez. It was as recent as 2016-17 that he was a per 36 standout who couldn’t secure a consistent enough role to prove that his numbers could translate to a per game basis.
Beyond the statistics, O’Quinn’s energy has made him a fan and locker room favorite—traits that have often gone unrewarded.
The question is: How much longer can New York overlook the fact that O’Quinn is eligible for free agency in 2018 and Hernangomez, the younger of the two players, is locked up through 2020?
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The New York Knicks will eventually need to turn their attention to the future, but Kyle O’Quinn earning early minutes should only motivate Willy Hernangomez to work harder.
The message being sent by Jeff Hornacek is simple: Earn your keep.