The New York Knicks have established roles for every player in the rotation. That’s not only resulted in team success, but the players having fun again.
The New York Knicks are a shining example of the importance of coaching. Head coach Jeff Hornacek has firmly established his rotation by staying true to a pattern and placing his players in specific roles that fit their respective skill sets.
Such a development has not only helped the Knicks create the early workings of a new identity, but made the game fun again for the players who take the court.
New York has exceeded expectations early in 2017-18 by going 9-7 through its first 16 games. It ranks No. 8 in the NBA in both field goal percentage and opponent field goal percentage, which is a product of the players’ commitment to team success.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, center Enes Kanter pinpointed what’s different about this Knicks team: Everyone knows their role.
"“One thing about this team, everybody knows what they’re going to do, everybody knows his role,” Kanter said. “We’re just going out, playing basketball and having fun.”"
When players know their role and are comfortable in it, the game slows down, their contributions are better appreciated, and the sport becomes fun again.
Hornacek received criticism for his rotation early in 2017-18, but he’s remained true to it throughout the season. It’s not only created a sense of stability for the players who receive consistent playing time, but has birthed a next-man-up mentality.
That much was proven by the fact that Ramon Sessions provided the Knicks with four assists and a +/- of +7 in 12 unexpected minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sessions began the season as a starter, but has since fallen out of the rotation entirely—and yet, he answered the call when he was given double-digit minutes for the first time since Oct. 24.
The rotation has been constructed in a way that fills almost every possible void. Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn provide a power balance to Kristaps Porzingis’ finesse game; Jarrett Jack’s structured playmaking is complemented by Frank Ntilikina’s more free-flowing distribution; and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee balance aggressive scoring with methodical shooting.
Rounded out by sharpshooter Doug McDermott bringing the crowd to life and Lance Thomas providing a defensive edge, the New York Knicks have what’s close to a complete rotation.
The key moving forward will be maintaining a team-wide commitment to defense.
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With established roles for every one of the players in the rotation, their greatest skills are being pinpointed and maximized—the key to sustained success.