High energy gets Ndour roster spot
The Knicks’ defense wasn’t impressive in preseason, which is why coach Jeff Hornacek refused to cut defensive forward Maurice Ndour and rolled the dice in waiving injured point guard Chasson Randle, with hopes he doesn’t re-sign elsewhere.
The wiry 6-foot-9 Ndour was the Knicks’ 2015 summerleague standout who played briefly in Spain last season after he suffered a stress fracture at Dallas’ training camp.
“He’s an activity guy when we need to mix it up,’’ Hornacek said of Friday’s moves. “You saw in some of the preseason games when he faceguarded a point guard and ran around to deny him the ball. He creates havoc out there. He’s done a nice job with the second group. His activity of cutting to the basket, moving around, we liked that energy.’’
Ndour, a Senegal native who started his college career at New Rochelle’s Monroe College, averaged 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15 minutes during the six preseason games.
“You know that’s coming,’’ Ndour told The Post regarding his energy. “That’s what I do, it’s what the team needs — just coming in there and provide chaos and energy.”
With Randle’s release, he can sign with another NBA club or go back to Europe. A source said he is exploring all options.
Hornacek said selfishly he would love Randle to stay put and play for the Westchester Knicks when he returns from an orbital fracture in a month. If Randle plays well and Ron Baker isn’t holding his weight, the Knicks would cut Baker and put Randle back on the 15man roster, even waiting for January’s 10-day contract trigger.
The Knicks already had to eat Randle’s $100,000 guarantee. The team had to keep Baker with their roster thin at point guard.
“He’s done a great job for us,’’ Hornacek said of Randle. “We hope all these guys get other jobs and another team pick them up but our hope is if he doesn’t go to another team. He stays with our organization. We really like what he did for us.”
Hornacek on a defense that allowed 107 points per game, ranked 26th in preseason: “It better get better. We’re doing some good things defensively — not for a long period. Sometimes we’re switching too softly. When they do, the switches have to be aggressive switches. And talking and communication has dropped.’’