Despite the New York Knicks’ disappointing season from their, Derrick Rose self proclaimed, “Superteam;” Head Coach Jeff Hornacek’s job is reportedly “safe” according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
In this season so far, Hornacek has led the Knicks to a 27-41 record and an unimpressive 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. With expectations through the roof to start the year, signing former MVP Derrick Rose, former Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah, all while still having 10x All-Star Carmelo Anthony and the 21 year old sensation Kristaps Porzingis; New York has never won more games than they’ve lost in each individual month.
With 11 NBA championships as a head coach, NY Knicks’ president Phil Jackson has done his best to help implement the triangle offense to this complicated Knicks team. “When he (Jackson) comes out and demonstrates for guys, he’s so used to being out on the court,” Hornacek said, “It’s fun for him to do. Guys getting another look at it from a guy who’s run it for years and years.”
Ever since Phil Jackson has taken over as President of the New York Knicks (2014), the Knicks have went 76-156 and have yet to make a single postseason appearance. As bad as 3 seasons of not making the playoffs have been, it might be the Knicks best option to let go of their veterans who have no purpose on a rebuilding team. Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah should find their way out of New York as soon as possible, to help Kristaps Porzingis solidify himself as the number 1 option on this team and help the franchise rebuild around him.
A few more years of not making the playoffs can help New York move forward if that means developing young talent, instead of adding out of their prime veterans and going all in every year. Phil Jackson could be in an uncomfortable position, in his 19 seasons as a head coach, Jackson has been to the NBA Finals 13 of those seasons and has never won less than 42 games in a season. Jackson not being used to losing could be putting his organization in panic mode, so the problem may not be first year Knicks head coach, it could be President Phil Jackson’s lack of knowledge in the rebuilding process.