New York Knicks rookie Luke Kornet has struggled to see his shot fall, but head coach Jeff Hornacek is encouraging him to shoot through the inconsistency.
Whether or not you believe Jeff Hornacek is the coach who will lead the New York Knicks to the promise land, there’s an area in which he’s undeniably succeeded. Since taking over in 2016, Hornacek has actively encouraged his players to shoot when a decent look is available to them.
That may sound like an obvious approach, but in a league where the human element is an underrated factor, encouragement can be the enemy of hesitation.
It’s no coincidence that a number of Knicks have produced career-years under Hornacek’s watch. That list includes Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Enes Kanter, Trey Burke, Kyle O’Quinn, and a pre-tank Courtney Lee—arguably six of the seven most important players on the team.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, the latest player to hear such encouragement from Hornacek is rookie center Luke Kornet.
"“Sometimes these young guys are going back and forth from the G-League and the first time through, there’s probably some mental tiredness in there,’’ Hornacek said. “But every time he shoots the ball, you think it’s going in. We’re encouraging him to keep shooting. He’s young. It’s a heckuva weapon if he makes those 3s, we can add to the team.’’"
Kornet may not be a household name, nor a lock to make the main roster in 2018-19, but his upside is undeniable.
Kornet is a 7’1″ center who established himself as a unique player during his collegiate career. He was one of the most productive shot-blockers in his draft class, ranking No. 20 in the country in block percentage as a junior and No. 81 as a senior.
What made Kornet unique wasn’t just his shot-blocking prowess, but the fact that it was complemented by the 150 three-point field goals he converted in four seasons.
Kornet has struggled to get his shot to fall in the NBA, but Hornacek understands just how valuable the 7’1″ gunner could be to the Knicks’ vision if that changes.
If the Knicks were to sporadically utilize a lineup that featured both Kornet and Porzingis, defenses would have fits. Both players are taller than 7’0″, can block shots at a high rate, and shoot the three-ball with enough accuracy to strike fear in a coach’s heart.
In the small-ball era, having two giants of the sport playing from both the low post and the perimeter would be the ultimate response.
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The best way for Luke Kornet to overcome the inconsistency is to continue shooting. Thankfully, New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is encouraging him to do so.