Horny takes on tank talk
The nerve of those Knicks. How in blazes are they going to draft UCLA’s Lonzo Ball or Washington’s Markelle Fultz or Kansas’ Josh Jackson if they’re going to do crazy, nonsensical stuff like win ball games, as they did Monday in Orlando? At 26-39, the motto should be “Strive for 55.” As in 55 losses. And even that likely would not get them one of those studs.
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek understands the tanking mentality, but understanding and accepting are different elements. As a coach, he wants to win every time. But he sees the view from the other side.
“Players want to win every game. They’re not going out there trying to lose,” Hornacek said before referencing the Wizards with a No. 1 pick, John Wall, and two guys taken at No. 3, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter. “You get a bunch of those top picks. It may take time but eventually you can have a good team if you have the right guys.
“I’m sure people see KP [Kristaps Porzingis] was the fourth pick in the draft. Look where he is, his second year with a lot he can improve on over the years and he’s going to become a star. I understand that part. But players, coaches, we’re trying to win the games. If something comes down from management to play different guys, we want to look at different guys we’ll do that. But we’re trying to win every game.”
Knicks have Detroit on Saturday and visit the Nets on Sunday. They have not won back-toback games in nearly three months, since beating Indiana and Orlando Dec. 20 and 22. They’ve gone 10-26 since those wins.
Knicks and Pistons have split two games this season. Porzingis scored a career-best 35 points as the Knicks beat Detroit, 105-102, Nov. 16 at the Garden. On Nov. 1 at Detroit, Tobias Harris scored 25 and the Pistons won, 102-89. Anthony led the Knicks with 24 points.
Knicks general manager Steve Mills issued a statement on the death of scout Ben Jobe, 84, who joined the organization under Donnie Walsh: “Ben Jobe will be sorely missed. His wisdom, perspective and honesty were just a few of the traits that made him a great member of the Knicks family.”