New York Knicks: Jeff Hornacek falling short as slide continues

As the New York Knicks’ season comes to a close, Jeff Hornacek’s puzzling rotations and discouraging decisions continue to fall short.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek has bemoaned the New York Knicks’ lackluster defense as the season edges inexorably to a close amid a strew of losses. He’s openly questioned his players’ defensive effort and focus on several occasions.

He’s not wrong.

Acknowledging the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s defensive anchor, the performances haven’t been good enough. The Knicks have been lucky to keep teams under 120 since the Latvian’s season-ending ACL injury.

There’s been a lack of effort across the board. The Knicks have failed to prevent dribble penetration, fight over screens, make extra rotations, hit the defensive glass to close out possessions—and so on, and so forth.

Much of this is expected with a roster lacking balance and, more importantly, good defenders. However, at issue is that despite Hornacek’s protestations over the Knicks’ lack of defensive commitment, his rotations and minutes distribution seem apathetic to it.

While the losses themselves are understandable, the Knicks must acknowledge that Hornacek is falling short in crucial areas.