Several weeks after their agreement was first reported, the Knicks finally made their next coaching hire official. The team announced in a press release on Thursday that Jeff Hornacek will take over.
For all of the Knicks’ struggles the past few seasons, Hornacek gets a roster that will be built around Kristaps Porzingis, one of the most promising young prospects in the game. Carmelo Anthony is coming off his best season since 2013, and the uptempo offense Hornacek ran in Phoenix should suit him well. If the Knicks can upgrade their backcourt over the summer, they should be poised to take a step closer to respectability next season.
New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has hired Jeff Hornacek, becoming the 28th head coach in the franchise’s 70-year history in the National Basketball Association.
“Jeff has a tremendous basketball acumen and possesses strong leadership skills,” Jackson said. “During his career as both a player and coach, he has demonstrated the ability to elevate the game.”
“I am extremely excited and honored to be the next coach of such an historic franchise,” Hornacek said. “I look forward to working with Phil - a coach and teacher of the game I have admired for many years - and collaborating with him and our staff to take this team to the level that Knicks fans expect.”
For all of the Knicks’ struggles the past few seasons, Hornacek gets a roster that will be built around Kristaps Porzingis, one of the most promising young prospects in the game. Carmelo Anthony is coming off his best season since 2013, and the uptempo offense Hornacek ran in Phoenix should suit him well. If the Knicks can upgrade their backcourt over the summer, they should be poised to take a step closer to respectability next season.
