New York Knicks: The identity Jeff Hornacek wants in New York

During Scott Perry’s introductory news conference as the New York Knicks’ new general manager, Jeff Hornacek made it clear that him team would focus on identity.

Strictly speaking in basketball terms, the New York Knicks‘ main issue last season was the lack of a clear identity. The team never answered one simple question: who were the Knicks? Either they were building toward the playoffs with veterans, or they were rebuilding with youth.

The question remained unanswered the entire season as a mixture of veterans like Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose led a young and inexperienced team. Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez and Ron Baker worked to find their way without much tangible success.

In the midst of the veteran/youth struggle, an out-of-touch executive pushed an out-of-time offense. Phil Jackson put the team in more awkward positions than an overused voodoo doll. The result was a perpetual curse of losing and public embarrassment.

Now that Phil is gone, head coach Jeff Hornacek has the freedom to run his team however he pleases. Consequently, the team will take an athletic and defensive focus, emphasizing youth for the foreseeable future.

Hornacek’s time as a player and coach reveal what he will seek as a Knicks head coach free from the burden of Zen. No matter what he does schematically speaking, the Knicks can only get better from here.