Following New York Knicks owner James Dolan‘s decision to part ways with team president Phil Jackson last week, there has been a major shift in the organization internally.
One of which has centered on the offensive game plan that the Knicks will now run under head coach Jeff Hornacek with Jackson no longer enforcing the triangle offense. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News is reporting that much of that will center around promising forward Kristaps Porzingis.
But with a regime change comes a different philosophy about Porzingis, as coach Jeff Hornacek declared Saturday that his power forward is indeed equipped to carry an offense.
“That’s his next steps in his growth as a player, to be able to handle some of that,” Hornacek said Saturday. “He’s going to have to take that next step of taking over. I think he’s probably ready for that.”
Despite Jackson dangling Porzingis openly in the trade market, the Knicks clearly know that he possesses unique talent on the court. He has become a versatile offensive player that has shown the to be a factor defensively in the paint. Hornacek is looking to utilize his abilities as possibly the primary offensive weapon to be a more efficient team next season on that end of the floor.
Once the Carmelo Anthony situation clears up this offseason, it should also provide more clarity that Porzingis will take on a definitive and increased role with the team in his third year. The 21-year-old showed continued progression in his second season averaging 18.1 points on 45 percent shooting from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc with 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.
All of this should set the table for a huge individual campaign for Porzingis this upcoming season.