New York Post

Hornacek tears into team at practice

- By MARC BERMAN

SACRAMENTO — Jeff Hornacek made the Knicks watch the Clippers’ film and talk about their massive amount of defensive mistakes during a nearly twohour practice session Saturday night at the defunct Kings’ practice facility by their old arena in suburban Sacramento.

Livid after their 128-105 loss to the Clippers on Friday at Staples Center, Hor- nacek said he’s mulling a lineup change (it could be Michael Beasley) and reiterated his concern the Knicks showed no pride in L.A.

With the Knicks out of the playoff race with 19 games left and facing the Kings on Sunday, Hornacek said playing hard “should be no problem’’ for a handful of their younger former G-Leaguers “fighting to stay in the league.’’

The veterans, however, may have less motivation.

“Maybe some of the older guys, but we’re asking them to be the leaders for those young guys and show them how you play every game no matter what your record is,’’ Hornacek said. “You go out there and play for the pride. That was the disappoint­ment [Friday] night. They accepted being scored on without doing anything to let it not happen. We’ll see [Sunday] if they responded.’’

The Knicks were up three points at halftime before the Clippers 35-18 third-quarter blitz.

“Our effort sucked [Friday] night,’’ said Emmanuel Mudiay, who had a poor outing, a team-worst minus-24. “We have to come back with better energy. The third quarter we’ve been flat. We’re not communicat­ing enough. We weren’t trusting each other. The third quarter was horrible — a.lack of effort and lack of communicat­ion.’’

As such, Hornacek let the players be narrators during the film session as DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers, even Sam Dekker tore the Knicks to pieces in a 71-point second half.

“We put it on them to discuss it today,’’ Hornacek said. “Instead of the coaches, this is what you should’ve done. Let them talk about it. Let a guy talk about the clip. Next guy talks about the next clip. That way we can understand if they’re really seeing it.”

While Hornacek had calmed down Saturday, he admitted Friday was among his angriest moments of this 24-39 season after their 11th loss in 12 games.

“Oh yeah, I was upset,’’ Hornacek said. “Just competing and getting after it. When you don’t knock someone over, I don’t know, maybe that’s old school.”

The Knicks inked SF Troy Williams to a second 10-day contract Saturday.

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