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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 2: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the LA Clippers on March 2, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 2: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the LA Clippers on March 2, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. The Career Years

The single most misleading notion about Jeff Hornacek’s tenure with the New York Knicks is that no one has improved. It’s a bold and factually incorrect stance that essentially focuses on Frank Ntilikina not being a standout rookie—which is far from a career indictment.

When one actually goes down the roster, it becomes clear as day that the core players who aren’t rookies have all experienced career-years in 2017-18.

Kristaps Porzingis made his first All-Star Game appearance in 2017-18, and Hornacek bit the bullet by crafting rotations that focused entirely on KP’s development. $71 million man Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made per game.

Enes Kanter recently set a career-high in double-doubles and Courtney Lee is averaging career-best marks in points, assists, and three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

Even Jarrett Jack overachieved as a 34-year-old point guard coming off of a severe knee injury.

Based on salaries and playing time, Porzingis, Hardaway, and Lee are the three core players on the current roster. Kanter could also fit that bill if the Knicks opt to re-sign him this coming summer—or if one simply looks at the fact that they’re four of the five leading players in minutes per game.

Throw in Michael Beasley and Trey Burke’s respective career rejuvenations, and Hornacek has done far more to help his players than he’s been given credit for.

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