DOSE OF TRUTH
Hernangomez happy to get new coach’s critique
Hornets coach Steve Clifford gave a candid scouting report of Willy Hernangomez who seems to appreciate the brutal honesty coming from his new taskmaster.
In fact, while praising the Hornets’ climate, Hernangomez appeared to take a subtle dig at the Knicks before losing to his old team 124-101 Saturday at the Garden.
In explaining his lack of playing time, Clifford detailed the Spanish center’s need to improve shooting range and defensive reads because he’s “not a high-flier” and said he wants him to be rid of his image as a strictly back-to-the-basket big man. He also hinted at improving Hernangomez’s work ethic.
“If you were in one place and didn’t play much, if you want to play more in the next place, I’d say work harder and kill myself,” Clifford said at the Hornets shootaround at the Players Association’s Midtown headquarters. “The reality is he wasn’t playing here for a reason. He’s got to change things.”
Clifford, an ex-Knicks assistant under Jeff Van Gundy, said he relayed the message to Hernangomez last week.
For his part, Hernangomez sees a stricter climate in Charlotte than with the Knicks, with a chance to better expand his skills. He scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds in 13 minutes Saturday.
“[Clifford] tells you things that’s going on and what he wants,’’ Hernangomez said. “He wants to you to improve if you want to play. It’s very clear. Here, everybody follows rules, defense and offense. Maybe in New York, it was a little freer, defense, offense. Here, everyone follows rules, everybody helps each other. I’m really surprised when I came here to see the difference.’’
Hernangomez, 23, requested a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline. He was disgruntled at being out of the rotation after becoming a firstteam All-Rookie last season. But Clifford has played him in just nine games, giving him six DNPs. Hernangomez is averaging just 4.1 minutes per game.
“He’s not up to speed on what we’re doing to play a lot,” Clifford said. “It’s been a little bit of a struggle for him. He’s smart, but he’s not this high-flier, phenomenal, natural athlete able to make up ground. He’s got to be on top of things, especially on the defensive end. If he’s not detailed defensively, he’s not that [athletic] guy.”
Though the Knicks’ new regime prides itself on player development, Hernangomez has found the learning environment finer in Charlotte.
“You see my warmups before the game,” Hernangomez said. “With the Knicks, low post, banks. Here I shoot 3s, floaters — a lot more free to do more stuff. Nobody tells you you can’t do it. I think it will be great place for me to keep improving.”
Hornacek dismissed Hernangomez’s remarks about the Hornets’ climate being more conducive to development. Earlier this week, Craig Robinson, VP of player development, said the Knicks are doing “innovative’’ stuff nobody in the NBA does.
“I don’t know what they’re doing there,’’ Hornacek said. “Maybe they have a few more plays. We try to encourage guys to work on all parts of his game. He shot 3s in practice.’’
Enes Kanter said the Knicks traded “a young Marc Gasol,” but brass saw what Clifford sees: an old-school, low-post center who doesn’t defend well in space — the NBA’s new mantra for centers.
“To be an every-night player, and I’ve told him this, he’s got to improve his shooting,” Clifford said. “He is right now, in my opinion, a back-to-the-basket player who can pass. But the reality is his passing doesn’t come into play until they have to get close to him and know he’s not going to knock down a shot. And he’s not a knockdown shooter.”
Hernangomez hoped to see the rehabbing Porzingis at Saturday’s game. He huddled with Porzingis the night of Feb. 6, after the Knicks star returned from his MRI exam with news of his torn ACL. Hernangomez went back to Porzingis’ apartment, calling it “the worst night of my life.”
“It was a special moment between him and me,” Hernangomez said. “I was surprised how positive he was. His mind is right.”