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New York Knicks: Steve Clifford quote provides critical reminder

By Maxwell Ogden

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets talks to his team during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets talks to his team during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford discussed the development of younger players and provided a quote that the New York Knicks should be mindful of.

Over the course of the past month, one question has dominated the New York Knicks media circuit. That may sound hyperbolic considering how easily many who follow and cover the Knicks can become prisoners of the moment, but in this instance, it’s accurate.

The question of the hour has been simple: If the Knicks are in the evaluating stage, why aren’t they providing more minutes to those who need evaluation?

New York is rebuilding and planning for the 2018 NBA Draft, which implies that it should be offering its younger players a significant increase in playing time. That hasn’t always been the case, however, as head coach Jeff Hornacek still has a tendency to feature veterans in his rotation.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford offered a quote that Knicks fans should take note of.

"“People talk about development or being able to see guys for next year. If you can’t be organized when somebody’s on the floor, one you can’t evaluate them and two, they’re hurting the ability of the other guys to play…. younger players have to be able to play in a way on the floor where the team can function. Because otherwise you can say you’re evaluating them but you’re screwing the other four guys up and you can’t evaluate them.”"

You may not agree with Hornacek’s rotations, and we could easily dissect whether what he’s done fits what Clifford is saying, but it’s a fair and rational point.

It’s easy to simply say that a younger player should receive an increased number of minutes. If said player isn’t helping their teammates, however, then a coach is essentially prioritizing the development of one over the progression of the team.

With all due respect to the players on the current roster, I’m not entirely sure that there’s an active individual who deserves that type of prioritization.

The two players whom one could argue in favor of are Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr., who’s in the first season of a four-year contract worth roughly $71 million.

Furthermore, it stands to reason that the front office isn’t sold on some of the players whom fans believe to be long-term locks. Players such as Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn are pending free agents, and there’s no guaranteeing that either will be re-signed.

The same could be said about Michael Beasley, although a question admittedly still remains: Will Hornacek find a more ideal balance between the players on expiring contracts and the younger generation?

Must Read: Frank Ntilikina flashes his potential against the Charlotte Hornets

Doing so will be the key to the New York Knicks making the most of the remainder of the 2017-18 NBA regular season.

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