The triangle offense is a thing of the past but so is the Knicks‘ current offense because of the lack of three-point shots, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. The Knicks are dead last in the NBA in three-point shots attempted and made, a byproduct of head coach Jeff Hornacek‘s system.
Unlike the offense New York ran under former president Phil Jackson, Hornacek said he urges the team to attempt more threes. However, that has not translated into makes through the first few months of the season.
“Of course I want more,” the coach said. “We’re not getting many. Some of them we’re passing up. We’re not getting the penetration sometimes to kick it out. On the break, they got to be able to let them fly.”
The Knicks’ outside shooting has been hurt by the extended absence of Tim Hardaway Jr., who is dealing with a stress injury in his left leg. Also, Kristaps Porzingis has struggled with his shot and neither of the Knicks’ two point guards are good shooters. For now, the team is adjusting to the post-Jackson era and growing pains are expected.
Check out other Atlantic Division notes below:
- First overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, has been injured for most of the season, losing valuable development as a result. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Fultz, who has been limited with his workouts as he rehabs, need to play with his Sixers teammates and get better acclimated to the rigors of the NBA
- The Celtics own the Eastern Conference’s best record and have received tremendous help from their young players, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston writes. The likes of Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, and Jayson Tatum have been crucial to the team’s success but lesser known names such as Daniel Theis and last year’s G League Rookie of the Year, Abdel Nader, have had an impact.
- After an early postseason exit at the hands of the Cavaliers last season, the Raptors realized they had to change their style of play to have a chance at the NBA championship in 2017/18. Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports provides an in-depth look at how DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the rest of the Toronto team embraced the fast-paced, three-point minded NBA style.
I love Jeff Hornacecks ability to coach this Knicks team so far. That being said, if the Knicks don’t start shooting more threes, they will never reach any playoffs. Unless you got Shaq and Kareem as your big men, a system without Threes is a recipe for failure in today’s NBA, period.
With the future rotation pieces in place, and a number of tradeable assets.
I don’t want the Knicks anywhere near the playoffs, this year. They should aim for a few more picks in this years draft.
Seeing how the team has responded
Post-Melo, may have turned a few heads around the NBA, and some FA’s might be willing to come to NYC.
Next years team might be able to make a dent come playoff time .
Knicks has to win some games to make Porzingas happy. To get the lottery pick you need to trade him.
Jeff Hornacek is the worst Coach in the league, no team game prep, horrible substitutions, has no clue how to utilize his entire roster, too rigid, plays Jack who should not even be in the league and gets killed by every opposing teams guards. Has no understanding of late game strategy when the knicks are in a close game situations. The Knicks are really not as bad as folks think but with a Coach like Hornacek the playoffs will be a disaster. He still has not figured out that the team needs offense to start games and then brings Beasley in when we are down by 12. Hornacek is the kind of Coach that would have Kyrie Irving on the bench. On what planet should Thomas be starting. Terrible Coach-FIRE HORNACEK!
I agree on the Lance Thomas piece when Beasley is available on the bench, but Hardaway would be in there instead if healthy.
What I question is why Hernangomez, a player they value for the future and have not traded, continues to sit on the bench. After a year of showing promise, they have not only cancelled any progress he had, but have now stripped any high trade value he may have once had.
Knicks need a Stevens type of coach who can lead the young team and grow with them. Hornacek isn’t the right coach for this team. He always seems to be one-upped by his opposing coach and his player rotations and use are questionable. He doesn’t exert that confidence and control you want as a leader and as a coach.
I’m okay with Beasley coming in off the bench. People don’t consider that you need scoring punch with your second lineup as well. I like Beasley but he is not consistent enough at this point. He is a great heat check guy and I think Hornacek is using him correctly. Also, take into account that Thomas is a really good defender. It’s not only about scoring.
It’s not the Coaches system at all that’s failing – it’s the players. Did nobody learn anything from the Triangle debacle recently? Your system is only as good as the players who use it. If they don’t have the horses to shoot volume 3’s, it’s hardly the Coaches fault – he isn’t the one signing them or playing those minutes for them.
100% agree Leon, Hondo is a terrible coach.
Anyone watch that Bulls game? You know, the one where the Knicks were down the three in the dying seconds. Worst passer on the team inbounding (Beasley), and Kanter taking the shot when he should never have been on the court. Terrible, just terrible.