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Knicks Rumors: Five reasons firing Jeff Hornacek would be premature

By Maxwell Ogden

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 4: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks coaches against the Sacramento Kings on March 4, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 4: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks coaches against the Sacramento Kings on March 4, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks speaks with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks speaks with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Reputation

If the New York Knicks fire Jeff Hornacek, they’ll be on their fifth coach in six years. If New York were to fire Hornacek before the 2018-19 campaign, they’ll have done so following his first true season as head coach—and we all know 2016-17 wasn’t really, “His.”

Simply put: Why in the world would a better coach join the Knicks knowing they’ll have half a season to get everything right or else they’ll be fired?

Maybe Hornacek isn’t the answer, but the Knicks haven’t exactly provided him with the tools to succeed. Phil Jackson undermined him in 2016-17, the roster was incomplete in 2017-18, and now Hornacek may not receive a chance to coach with a complete team in 2018-19.

It’s understandable for general manager Scott Perry to want his own guy, but Hornacek’s tenure would be defined by a lack of front office support.

If the Knicks are simply going to give up on every coach who doesn’t immediately win with a lackluster roster, why would a future candidate take the job? Even if a coach does take that gamble, why would a superstar sign with a team that’s known for such extreme instability?

By simply giving Hornacek one more chance to prove himself, the Knicks would position themselves to repair what’s been a broken reputation for the better part of 17 years.

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