When it came to hiring a head coach, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has been expected to bring on someone he knows well, like he did with his first hire in Derek Fisher. Since Fisher was let go, interim head coach Kurt Rambis built up consideration as the next man for the job as a trusted comrade of Jackson’s, which has made the Jeff Hornacek hire a surprising one.
Jackson has been forthright about wanting the famed triangle offense used in New York, again making the Hornacek hire a bit of a head scratcher, as Hornacek’s coaching style is more privy to the uptempo play we’re seeing more around the league. Apparently he will have permission to implement his style with the Knicks and abandon the triangle offense.
From ESPN’s Ian Begley:
Several media outlets have reported that Hornacek will have the freedom to install his own offense rather than run Jackson’s preferred triangle. If this is accurate — and several people familiar with the inner workings of the team believe it to be true — it would be a shift in philosophy for Jackson.
The interesting wrinkle here: Derek Fisher attempted to tweak the triangle offense by increasing the pace, running more high ball screens and drag screens. Jackson opposed that change and it was ultimately cited as one of the primary reasons he fired Fisher in early February, when the Knicks were 23-31.
So it’s a bit surprising that Hornacek would get leeway that Fisher, who won five titles playing for Jackson’s Los Angeles Lakers teams, was not afforded.
Nonetheless, with Hornacek at the helm it’s fair to expect the Knicks to play at a faster pace, spread the floor, shoot more 3-pointers and pursue more opportunities in transition — all traits of Hornacek’s Phoenix Suns teams. The guess here is that many Knicks players will welcome these changes. Many had grown weary of the triangle and the negative perception of the offense around the NBA, per league sources.
Surely this is the freedom that Hornacek is looking forward to in New York, being able to install his more modern style offense. It’s impressive to think that Hornacek was able to convince Jackson that he should coach his own style of offense. Jarring Jackson away from his triangle roots is a feat in itself for the new Knicks coach.
For the Knicks, it still means continuing to build and develop personnel for that style of play, but Hornacek’s hiring seems to be legitimately ushering in a new era and mentality for the Knicks.
