3. Trust the system
The New York Knicks struggled to adjust to Hornacek’s system. They started seasons well, but everything eventually fell apart after January, even before his tenure when Derek Fisher was in charge for a brief time.
At the time, it was about a search for ball movement, which the Knicks failed to do. As 2018 opened, they had just 23.3 assists on 14.7 turnovers per game in wins and 22.3 assists to 16.0 turnovers per game during losses. It led to a 13-8 and 5-10 record, respectively.
The team finished the season 13th in assists and 21st in turnovers per game. Not disastrous numbers, but their record did not reflect them sitting in the top half of the NBA in anything.
Under Fizdale, the situation flipped. The Knicks controlled the ball better, currently sitting at 14th in turnovers per game, but 29th in assists; they have floated around last pace for most of the season.
Assist troubles can be linked to Frank Ntilikina‘s difficulties at point guard and Trey Burke‘s score-first mentality. Emmanuel Mudiay has provided a stable force, but averages fewer than four assists per game.
“Trust the system” should apply for 2019’s New Year’s resolution. Ball movement helps the offense flow, but the Knicks still do not have much of that.