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New York Knicks: Road trip provides unique opportunity

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Head Coach Jeff Hornacek speaks to Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Head Coach Jeff Hornacek speaks to Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. While most view this stretch as a daunting task to overcome, Jeff Hornacek views it as an opportunity.

The New York Knicks have acquired the unenvious label of a team that struggles to win on the road. With a 5-15 record away from Madison Square Garden, that reputation is supported by the disappointing facts.

In the midst of a seven-game road trip, however, the Knicks are beginning to realize that this challenge is more of a golden opportunity than it seems.

Winning five of a possible 20 road games isn’t exactly easy to stomach, but the cure to those woes may have arrived. New York will be forced to address those concerns head-on, with its postseason aspirations being the potential cost or reward.

According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, head coach Jeff Hornacek believes the current road trip provides New York with a unique opportunity.

"“This is an opportunity,” Hornacek said. “People look at road trips as ‘Man, we’ve got a tough trip.’ We’ve got to look at it as this is a chance for us. If you go out there and have a great road trip, that could give you the momentum to go into All-Star break and come back from that and maybe make a run at something later on . . . It’s an opportunity to get on a roll.”"

If the Knicks manage to build positive momentum on this road trip, they could make a serious run towards a return to the postseason.

New York opened the season at 2-12 on the road, but has gone an even 3-3 over the past six. If the Knicks continue to play at a .500 level on the road, they could end what’s currently shaping up to be a five-year postseason drought.

Perhaps more important than wins and losses, however, is the fact that the Knicks can change the culture by proving they can compete at a high level away from home.

If New York the next six games with lackluster levels of energy and intensity, however, the progress of the 2017-18 season could be set back.

It’s worth noting that the Knicks began this seven-game road trip with a dominant 119-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. That isn’t the most extreme example of a road game, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The question is: Can New York maintain its momentum when it travels to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, Jan. 17?

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If the New York Knicks compete at a high level over the next six games, then the long-term implications could be a positive nature.

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