The New York Knicks can be competitive if Hornacek can be competent

If Jeff Hornacek can coach competently, the New York Knicks will remain competitive.

The New York Knicks have looked the part of a team in limbo. While the players are ready to win and give their all; management seems to be saying slow down lets enjoy the process. The Knicks head coach has done everything in his power to water down expectations, but this is New York and if you start winning you better keep winning.

GM Scott Perry loves the young Knicks effort but would love to see more of the young players receive more time on the court while the team remains competitive. It’s undeniable that the Knicks will be sellers at the trade deadline, but why wait to start preparing to deal with the shake up? Michael Beasley, “Your favorite player’s, favorite player” has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air. He’s playing smart, hustling hard and being a leader when the team needs him to be. Beasley’s minutes changed drastically with the return of Tim Hardaway Jr. from injury.

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This should change immediately with the Knicks going big. Beasley should be finding himself at the three spot while Courtney Lee should start providing that spark of the bench with his defense and three-point shooting. The paring of Courtney Lee’s defense with Doug Mcbuckets shooting makes too much sense and keeps the bench play a huge plus for the Knicks.

GLIMPSE AT THE FUTURE

Willy Hernangomez should start preparing himself to play more. I’m not a fan of a player who’s crying about their playing time while other players at the same position are lighting it up. However in this situation he has won out not only will he supplement O’Quinn’s minutes but because of him the team will be trading Kyle O’Quinn and Joakim Noah to clear way for other young talent that could be on a two-way contract in the G-league. Luke Kornet may be joining his old teammate in Trey Burke very soon on the big Knicks. This would give the Knicks another PF/C type that could shadow Porzingis with minimal drop off in height/defense and three-point shooting.

Next: Knicks prospect watch

One issue is Jeff Hornacek needs to bring these players together and help them understand some changes may be coming and we want you to keep winning now, but we want to win a lot more in the future. With Two future guards in place depending on how Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke finish this season the Knicks could have a few bright spots heading into the end of the year and a few more draft picks and cap space depending on the trades that are sure to follow.

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