Jeff Hornacek Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Jeff Hornacek’s Job Not In Jeopardy

March 16th, 2017 at 12:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks are on track to miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, and this result’s will be particularly disappointing after a series of offseason splashes that saw the team acquire Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and others. However, head coach Jeff Hornacek‘s job is safe heading into the summer, a league source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Although the Knicks have an unimpressive 27-41 record this season under Hornacek, the Knicks’ coach has maintained a “strong rapport” with team president Phil Jackson and associate head coach Kurt Rambis, an NBA source tells Berman. As Berman explains, Derek Fisher‘s dismissal as head coach of the Knicks last season was prompted in part by Fisher’s lack of communication with Jackson and his resistance to Jackson’s involvement in aspects of coaching — Hornacek has been an improvement on both of those fronts.

Jackson recently took to the Knicks’ practice court to teach the triangle offense to the team’s guards in a hands-on manner. While that was viewed by some observers as the team president stepping on the head coach’s toes, Hornacek – who has suggested the triangle could help attract free agents – said he didn’t mind Jackson’s involvement.

“We talk about stuff all the time,” Hornacek said, per Berman. “When he comes out and demonstrates for guys, he’s so used to being out on the court. It’s fun for him to do. Guys getting another look at it from a guy who’s run it for years and years.”

If Jackson and Hornacek are on the same page regarding the triangle offense for next season, the Knicks’ coaching staff could undergo some changes, according to Berman, who notes that none of the assistants Hornacek brought in “knew the triangle from a rhombus.” And while not all of the Knicks players appear to be on board with the triangle, there may be less confusion next season if the club isn’t jumping back and forth between Jackson’s triangle and Hornacek’s hybrid offense.

“We’ll look at a lot of different things,” Hornacek said of the offense for next season. “Go back, step one. A lot of footwork and basic fundamental stuff as the season goes on you notice. Next year when we go into it, it’ll be more to that stuff before you even touch a basketball.”

New York Notes: Hornacek, Porzingis, Goodwin, Lopez

March 15th, 2017 at 9:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

This season hasn’t turned out the way the Knicks had hoped, but coach Jeff Hornacek doesn’t think anyone will be fired because of it, posts Ian Begley on ESPN Now. New York thought it had built a playoff contender by trading for Derrick Rose and signing Joakim Noah over the summer, but the Knicks have crashed to 12th place in the East with a 27-41 record. “We’re all going through this,” Hornacek said. “Every single guy, every single coach, every part of management, everybody’s to blame. We’re all in it together. I don’t think there’s been any other talk of anything, so we try to do the best we can.”

There’s more tonight from New York City:

Kristaps Porzingis will miss at least one game with a left thigh bruise that he suffered Tuesday, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Porzingis will be held out of Thursday’s game with the Nets and will be re-evaluated before a three-game road trip that starts Monday. “We’ll see — whenever he’s ready to play,’’ said Hornacek, who remains upset that Porzingis said the Knicks are in “confusion from top to bottom” after a loss on Sunday. Porzingis refused to expand on that statement today, telling reporters, “I made those comments after the game and I spoke my mind. That’s not something I really want to keep talking about.”
Archie Goodwin joined the Nets for practice today after signing a 10-day contract this morning, relays Cory Wright of NBA.com. Goodwin is eager to resume his NBA career after playing three games with the Pelicans earlier this season. Coach Kenny Atkinson said Goodwin won’t play tomorrow against the Knicks, but could see time Friday or Sunday. “He’s the profile we’re looking for, young, talent, hasn’t found his footing in the league yet,” Atkinson added.
The Nets considered signing Goodwin earlier in the season after he was waived by New Orleans, tweets NetsDaily.com.
Brook Lopez, now in his ninth season with the Nets, was so sure that he was being traded two years ago that he had a friend get his luggage ready, writes Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Lopez believed he was headed to the Thunder in a 2015 deadline deal. Kerber examines how Lopez has adjusted his game to become an effective 3-point threat.

Jeff Teague Likes New York, But Not The Triangle

March 15th, 2017 at 7:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

The triangle may discourage Pacers point guard Jeff Teague from considering the Knicks when he becomes a free agent this summer, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Teague is considered among the possible replacements for Derrick Rose, who may not be re-signed when his contract expires at the end of the season. Teague said he hoped to be traded to New York in 2014, but that was before Phil Jackson arrived as team president with his triangle offense.

Teague, who will be 29 in June, believes the approach isn’t a good one for a penetrating point guard like himself or Rose, saying, “I think a player like Rose, it gives you a better chance of containing him.”

An Indiana native, Teague may decide to stay with the Pacers, who own his Bird rights and can offer more money and more years than other other team. However, this will be his first experience as an unrestricted free agent, and the Knicks should be among the interested organizations if he decides to listen to offers. New York could have nearly $25MM in cap space if Rose is not re-signed.

Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek is defending the triangle and claims it could be a selling point for free agents.

“There might be players out there who think that way,” he said in response to Teague’s comments, “but there are also probably players out there who say, ‘Oh, man, I’d like to run something like that.’ Guys might not necessarily want to run around in the staggers. It’s still an offense guys who are knowledgeable in the game should like. It’s a strategy almost every time down the court as a player. In a way, looking at it that way, it’s fun to run.’’

This is Teague’s first season with the Pacers after seven years in Atlanta. He is making $8.8MM and averages 15.1 points and 7.9 assists per game.

Knicks Notes: Porzingis, Hornacek, Jackson, Holiday

March 14th, 2017 at 3:01pm CST by Milo Taibi

Kristaps Porzingis plans on working out with Dirk Nowitzki over the offseason, Marc Berman of the Post reports. While Mark Cuban initially wasn’t thrilled with the idea, the Mavs owner came to his senses, saying “It was all in fun. It’s up to Dirk.’’

Porzingis, meanwhile, intends to take advantage of an opportunity to learn from an all-time great.

“I’m sure it will help me out and improve my game, hopefully, unless Mark Cuban says no,’’ Porzingis said. “Dirk is a guy who can really help my game. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to work with him, a few days to get on the court with him and pick his brain.”

Atlantic Notes: Atkinson, Tucker, Thomas, Knicks

March 9th, 2017 at 7:10pm CST by Milo Taibi

Chris Mannix of The Vertical spoke with Nets coach Kenny Atkinson about the team’s rebuild; a process Atkinson admitted can be overwhelming.

“I look at it like I deserve … like I deserve to start at the bottom. This is how it should be. I shouldn’t be handed some prime job,” Atkinson said. “I really believe that I have to pay my dues, and it’s great. It’s funny the situation we are in, without our picks, we never use that as a crutch. We never talk about the past. We’re talking about getting better in the here and now, and getting better in the future.”

Atkinson certainly has paid his dues; the Nets are currently 11-52, having won just 3 of 34 Eastern Conference games. Atkinson discussed the vision he shares with GM Sean Marks.

“Sean and I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy task,” Atkinson said. “We needed guys that were going to be able to keep pushing through and guys with high character that, despite the won-loss record, they’re going to come in here with a smile on their face and keep working their tails off, and that’s exactly what we’ve gotten from one to 15. We push these guys pretty hard, but everyone wants to be coached, accepts coaching. That attitude, that work ethic, that’s eventually going to pay off.”

Knicks Notes: Jennings, Griffin, Hornacek, Porzingis

March 5th, 2017 at 10:26am CST by Arthur Hill

Brandon Jennings is still taking shots at the Knicks, even though he’s now in a Wizards uniform, relays Keely Diven of CSNMidAtlantic. After his first game for Washington on Friday, Jennings told reporters the change has been beneficial. “I’m in the same position I was in New York,” he said, “but just in a better system for me personally and with a team that actually plays together.” Jennings was never shy about criticizing the Knicks while he played there, perhaps surprised to see the inner turmoil in the organization after signing a one-year deal worth more than $4.8MM last summer. Jennings agreed to a buyout with New York and signed with the Wizards on Wednesday. He will be an unrestricted free agent again in July.

There’s more out of New York:

Cavaliers GM David Griffin said the team agreed to take J.R. Smith from the Knicks in a 2015 trade involving Iman Shumpert so it wouldn’t have to surrender a first-round pick, tweets Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. Griffin recounted the deal Saturday at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. Smith and Shumpert both became contributors during the Cavs’ two trips to the NBA Finals, while the Knicks received Lance Thomas, Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk and a 2019 second-rounder.
Coach Jeff Hornacek says defensive lapses, not the triangle offense, are behind the Knicks’ difficulties in closing out games, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Several players have been pointing fingers at the triangle, with Carmelo Anthony saying after Friday’s loss to the Sixers that other teams adjust during the games, but the Knicks don’t. “When we get down, especially in fourth quarters, we want to run something that’s part of a system,” Hornacek said. “The triangle aspects is one of the systems that you can run that hopefully they can’t double, hopefully they can’t switch. It at least gets you organized in a set.”
Phil Jackson’s attempts to trade Anthony and Derrick Rose before the deadline are evidence that the Knicks will eventually revolve around Kristaps Porzingis, Iannazzone writes in a separate story. He suggests that Porzingis should be made the focus of the offense now, even if it means fewer touches for Anthony.

Knicks Notes: Rose, Jennings, Randle, Ndour

February 27th, 2017 at 6:39pm CST by Milo Taibi

The Knicks appear to be done with buyouts after parting ways with Brandon Jennings today. While there was some speculation about Derrick Rose being cut by the club, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN suggests the Knicks probably won’t complete any more buyouts unless “a player they like becomes available.” (Twitter link)

Despite Jeff Hornacek‘s words to the contrary, the Knicks appear to be in full-on tank mode at this point. Sporting a 24-35 record, the Knicks are four games behind Detroit for the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference.

Knicks Notes: Anthony, Rose, Porzingis, Jackson

February 24th, 2017 at 4:45pm CST by Milo Taibi

Carmelo Anthony is unsure of the Knicks‘ direction after standing pat at the trade deadline. “I think they were kind of planning on the trade deadline, whether they were trying to make moves,” Anthony said. “I think that was one plan. Now they’ve got to get back to the drawing board and come up with another plan about the future of this team.”

Anthony’s frustration is understandable. Team president Phil Jackson extensively discussed the prospect of shopping Anthony, despite ‘Melo’s no-trade clause. While Anthony wasn’t mentioned in trade rumors throughout the deadline, the team was apparently rebuffed by Minnesota on a Ricky Rubio-for-Derrick Rose swap. Anthony claimed he “kind of knew” he wouldn’t be dealt in the days leading up to the deadline, and spoke for his teammates in criticizing the front office’s lack of transparency.

“Yeah, I mean, nobody likes to be in limbo,” Anthony said. “We all want to know kind of what’s going on, especially when it’s involving you. I think there’s other players who feel the same way, that they want to be involved — not involved, but at least up to date with what’s going on.”

Atlantic Notes: Jackson, Okafor, Atkinson, Ibaka, Porzingis

February 19th, 2017 at 2:19pm CST by Milo Taibi

Knicks legend Willis Reed had an interesting take on the team’s leadership woes. The Hall of Famer suggested Phil Jackson take the helm as head coach, replacing Jeff Hornacek.

“Unfortunately for us as Knicks fans, if Phil Jackson had been coaching all year, we would’ve won more games,’’ Reed told Marc Berman of The New York Post. “His toughness and ability to make guys concentrate, that’s what I loved about him as a coach. He got guys to play harder and smarter…He’s got a history with Kobe, Jordan and Shaquille and made them champions.”

Reed was critical of Jackson’s inability to find a suitable head coach during his run as Knicks president, citing Mike Woodson, Derek Fisher, Kurt Rambis, and Hornacek as disappointments. Jackson’s most recent season as a head coach came with the Lakers in 2010/11, in which L.A. finished with a 57-25 record.

Knicks Notes: Anthony, Hernangomez, Noah, Oakley, Dolan

February 13th, 2017 at 6:31pm CST by Milo Taibi

Bobby Marks of The Vertical covered the Knicks in his trade deadline preview series. The Knicks, Marks writes, are a big market team dealing with adversity (to put it lightly). Marks explains the ways in which the Knicks have limited assets on paper; both Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are on expiring contracts, and Courtney Lee will gain trade value over the summer, due to a weak shooting guard free agent class. Joakim Noah‘s expensive, long-term deal won’t attract suitors, and the team’s younger assets- Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez– aren’t thought to be available.

Trading Carmelo Anthony will be a “serious challenge” for the Knicks front office, who need to decide whether Anthony’s value would grow over the offseason. Marks put together a hypothetical trade that would work financially for all parties, in which Anthony would be dealt to the Clippers in exchange for Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, and Wesley Johnson. Of course, any deal involving Anthony would require the nine-time All-Star waiving his no-trade clause.