Trey Burke has added a missing dynamic to Jeff Hornacek’s offense. The New York Knicks are beginning to look like the team they’re meant to be.
New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek achieved enough success with the Phoenix Suns to be the runner up for Coach of the Year in 2013-14. Ranking No. 2 behind Gregg Popovich was a deserved honor for an individual who turned an injury depleted Suns roster into a 48-win team.
The highlight of the Suns’ success was the presence of a beautiful motion offense that was run by multiple point guards who could create consistent penetration.
For the better part of the 2017-18 season, Hornacek had been unable to recreate the success he experienced in Phoenix. What’s often overlooked in the criticism of New York’s embattled head coach, however, is the fact that his system lacks what it needs most: A penetrating point guard.
According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, coach Hornacek praised recent signee Trey Burke for adding the long missing element on offense.
"“The game changes a bit when he’s out there,” Hornacek said. “With him, [Kristaps Porzingis] and shooters, we feel good about that group being out there. He’s got the ability to get us some easy looks on the pick-and-roll, saw he’s able to drive around big guys when they did switch. It puts pressure on the defense.”"
It’s only been six games, but Burke’s arrival has coincided with what may be the best offensive stretch of the season thus far.
Jarrett Jack has done a commendable job as a veteran leader, and Frank Ntilikina has flashed elite potential as an on-ball defender. As far as running Hornacek’s offense is concerned, however, the Knicks have suffered from the inability to create consistent penetration.
Over the course of Burke’s first six games in New York, however, the Knicks have made a leap of truly prolific measures.
The mere introduction of a point guard who can create in isolation has sparked the resurrection of Hornacek’s once heralded offensive pedigree.
New York is currently averaging 125.2 points per 100 possessions when Burke is on the court. While that number is clearly unsustainable, it’s one that speaks to how much better the offense is when a penetrating guard poses a threat to opposing defenses.
As for the more sustainable figures: When Burke is on the court, the Knicks are burying 8.3 three-point field goals per 100 possessions on 43.3 percent shooting. It’s also attempting 24.4 free throw attempts per game.
Between the pick and roll, the drive-and-dish game, and Burke’s individual scoring ability, Hornacek is proving how effective his offense truly is with a player of Burke’s design.
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The New York Knicks may or may not reach the playoffs, but an important truth has been revealed: Jeff Hornacek’s offense will work with a point guard who can break a defense down.