A new management group is in place for the Knicks in the wake of Phil Jackson‘s departure in June, with Steve Mills having been promoted to the top job and Scott Perry brought in to have a significant voice in basketball decisions. Over the last few months, Mills and Perry have been making changes typical of a new front office, hiring or demoting executives and scouts, and retooling the roster by trading longtime star Carmelo Anthony.
However, the front office has yet to make any real changes on the sidelines, where head coach Jeff Hornacek continues to run the show. As Ian Begley of ESPN.com details, Knicks decision-makers want to see how Hornacek performed this season with Jackson no longer around to influence the team’s on-court decisions and systems. While Mills and Perry aren’t expecting the club to be a contender, they’d like to see improvement on defense and a strong effort from the current roster.
So far, the on-court results for Hornacek haven’t been good. After an 0-5 preseason, the Knicks are the NBA’s only winless team in the regular season, at 0-3. Additionally, as Begley details, it appears there are some players unfamiliar with some of the team’s plays. ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link), meanwhile, hasn’t been impressed with the Knicks’ effort.
While Hornacek seems likely to get a longer leash in New York than Earl Watson – fired after three games – did in Phoenix, Perry “doesn’t want to waste time with the wrong people in place,” people familiar with his thinking tell Begley. If the Knicks’ lackadaisical showings continue, Hornacek’s seat figures to get very hot.
Here’s more from out of New York:
- Knicks first-round pick Frank Ntilikina has been limited to just eight minutes played so far this season due to an ankle injury, but he’s set to return to the court on Friday against the Nets, per Barbara Barker of Newsday. “I’m excited,” Ntilikina said. “First game at the Garden in the regular season. So yeah, I can’t wait to go out there.”
- Nets center Timofey Mozgov, in the second year of lucrative $64MM contract, is looking to expand his game and boost his value by developing a three-point shot. Scott Cacciola of The New York Times has the details.
- Much has been made of the positive Nets culture under GM Sean Marks and head coach Kenny Atkinson. Now, as Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily writes, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate – the Long Island Nets – is attempting to emulate that culture.
- Earlier today, we passed along details on a major change to Nets ownership and published our recap of the Knicks‘ offseason.
The Knicks have been doing good so far under new management, Perry and Mills are doing good, BUT what ppl keep saying is that they need to get a veteran PG to help Ntilikina, my suggestion is that, Jack can help him but they can kill 2 birds with one stone, In firing horny and hiring Marc Jackson, Marc can def. help Ntilikina as he was one of the best PG in NBA history and a great coach, respected in many aspects…
and i think they should keep Kanter (unless they get blown away), have Kanter and Porz starting and having Hernangomez be the first big man off the bench , trade K.O and Lee for picks. release Baker hes only taking up a spot for someone else, No pass Beasley should be traded too for anything, or give him 50 hrs of passing drills a week. and see what you can get for Lance Thomas too….and Noah, well theres nothing that can be done with him, just hope he plays great and hopefully trade him, cause releasing him will affect the payroll for years to come……Cmon Perry and Mills, lets turn this team and City around
Just tank for Porter Jr and the Knicks will be back.
One cannot be back if one never was
I do not think any decision should be made until January, regarding Hornacek’s employment. If he does not give Ntlikina and Hernangomez the minutes to get better, that will most likely cost him his job in the long run. Moving Hernangomez to the pf position should get him more minutes. Moving Hardaway Jr to the bench until his defense is up to par with Lee, while hopefully boosting bench scoring. if Hardaway Jr makes significant improvements on defense then he can have his starting position back. Move Beasley to the starting lineup, effectively replacing the scoring threat that was supposed to Hardaway Jr, alleviating the pressure on Porzingis. Starting Ntlikina in order to boost his experience and confidence. Show him that he is truly the future and he might surprise us like Porzingis did when he was a rookie. By starting Ntlikina, Sessions should be able to bring balance and control to the second unit. Cut Jack from the roster. All he is effectively doing is taking minutes away from Baker and Ntlikina. If the Knicks are really high on Baker, then finding Lee a new home should be a priority along with finding O’Quinn or Kanter a new home. You can not develop youth if veterans (whom deserve the minutes) are getting more court time. This season the Knicks overall focus should be set on:
Youth Development
Team unity and continuity
A top 3 pick in the draft
It’s a little too early in the season to effectively judge the Knicks or Hornancek. The Knicks should not be focused on winning to save face. We get it, this is a rebuild, so don’t sacrifice development for a few victories. If i were the Knicks, I would be actively gauging the value of their veterans and pulling the trigger on any deal that shipped away vets, while receiving youth (no major salaries) and picks in return.
Knicks need an Ainge/Stevens type of management pairing. Current management need not apply.
THJ will never be a defensive player. Doesn’t have the mindset, but would be good coming off the bench as a change of pace/scoring type of player.
Play the kids and pray to find homes for the vets, otherwise just have them come off the bench and play out their contracts.
Draft well and in a couple of years they should have a stable of young players with some experience and cap room – a recipe for attracting free agents.