New York Knicks: Jeff Hornacek falling short as slide continues

The Miseducation of Frank Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina’s rookie season has seen it’s fair share of ups and downs. Every rookie experiences this and he’s been no exception. There have been nights when he’s been too passive and failed to have an impact on either end.

For much of January and February, it looked like he’d run face first into the rookie wall.

In recent weeks, though, Ntilikina has looked more spry and been more active. Still, like many young guards, activity and effort don’t always translate into effective play.

It’s times like that a coach needs to show a helping hand in guiding a young point guard through their struggles. Hornacek, however, has often reacted with an inexplicably short leash.

Per Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report:

"The Knicks would also be wise to loosen the leash they’ve kept tied around Ntilikina. It’s not just that he’s played only 20.9 minutes per game—a number that should be closer to 25. The team’s main failure has been not helping Ntilikina learn to play without a fear of making mistakes. Watching Nitilikina is often like watching a high school player scared of upsetting the coach and getting yanked. Part of that is his personality, but, with that being the case, the onus falls on the Knicks to push him to overcome that. “Point guard is a sensitive position; it’s easy for a young player to worry about getting other guys involved and pleasing the coach,” the first league executives said. “I think that’s happened a bit with Frank.”"

Case in point: Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Ntilikina had one of his best halves of the season running the offense. In 10 first-half minutes, he went 2-of-4 from the field for four points and set his teammates up effectively with six assists.

The second half wasn’t so smooth. Entering in the midst of Dallas’ 19-0 third quarter run, he was unable to turn the tide. He shot 0-of-4 from the field in 6 minutes.

Rather than be given a chance to play through his mistakes, Hornacek nailed him to the bench for the rest of the game.

Now, if the Knicks were playing for a playoff seed as they were earlier in the season this would be reasonable, but what exactly is the priority for the rest of the season if not the development of the rookie point guard?

Shouldn’t he be given more leash during the extended garbage time that is the rest of this Knicks season?

Peep the first name on that list. A kid who gives the mythical defensive effort Hornacek is allegedly desperate for should play more. He’s had his fair share of struggles, but there’s little excuse for not giving him more leeway, especially now.