New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is reportedly on the chopping block, but he’s made significant progress during the 2017-18 regular season.
New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek has emerged as one of the more polarizing figures in the NBA. As potential candidates emerge as replacements, Hornacek has been tasked with helping the Knicks build for the future without a sense of job security.
While there have been a number of disappointing developments during his brief tenure, Hornacek has helped New York show signs of progress.
The Knicks are closing in on the end of a season during which they’ll finish with fewer than 30 victories. It’s a disappointing end to a once promising season, but Hornacek has helped New York make progress towards overcoming the concerns about their poor levels of energy and intensity.
According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Hornacek praised his players for playing hard during what could be regarded as meaningless games at the end of the season.
"“Sometimes when you get late in the season guys are cashing it in,” Hornacek said. “All of our guys wanted to continue playing, to play hard. You could get selfish during that time and just try to score but they didn’t.“We had 33 assists the other night. We had 30 the last game. We had 26 [Monday]. So it’s not like they’re just going out there saying ‘I’m just going to do something for myself.’ They still stayed within what we wanted as a team. And that’s what the coaches are asking.”"
The question is: Has Hornacek actually convinced the Knicks to buy in to the system or are players simply fighting for their jobs?
It’s possible that it’s the latter, but it’s worth noting that a push for an elusive postseason appearance isn’t much different from a fight for an individual future. The odds are stacked against you, there’s no positive history to fall back on, and it’s back to the drawing board if you fall short.
The Knicks are beginning to play as a team, however, which is a significant sign of progress for a young and developing unit.
Not only is New York moving the ball well in recent weeks, but it’s recorded 1,882 assists in 2017-18—its highest total since 1994-95.
The Knicks are posting their highest team field goal percentage since 1996-97 and their fastest pace since 1989-90. Furthermore, New York outscored opponents by 14.8 points per 100 possessions when Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina, and Kristaps Porzingis were all on the court.
It stands to reason that outplaying opponents when the core players are on the court, moving the ball regardless, and embracing the need to push the pace should lead to positive results.
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The question is: Has New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek cracked the code? Or is this just a flash in the pan?