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New York Knicks: Jeff Hornacek finds positives in road trip

By Kenneth Teape

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 25: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 25: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek found some positives in the team’s lengthy road trip despite the ups and downs.

The New York Knicks wrapped up their longest road trip of the season last Friday against the Phoenix Suns. The ended their seven-game trek on a high note, defeating the Suns 107-85.

It was a good end to what was an overall shaky road trip, which was the longest they’ve had since 1989. The last time they played at home was Jan. 14, so the trip spanned 11 days. The team went 3-4 on the trip, which is okay given some of the circumstances.

The Knicks have struggled mightily away from Madison Square Garden this season. Winning three games on the road is encouraging. Injuries played a part, as the Knicks were without Tim Hardaway Jr., Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle O’Quinn for parts of the trip.

As a result, inconsistency plagued the Knicks. Without their top two scorers and a key reserve, their performance was up and down throughout the trip.

Despite that, head coach Jeff Hornacek was able to find some positives in the trip. Hornacek talked to the New York Post, praising the team for their performance in the last game of the trip against the Suns.

The get-away game is usually one that a team will come out flat in. It would have been understandable if the Knicks got caught looking forward to returning home and wanted to just get through the game. Hornacek was happy that didn’t happen.

"“I’m really happy to see after a 12-day trip, seven road games, most teams cash in the last one because they’re ready to go home,’’ Hornacek said in Phoenix. “Ours guys didn’t. They really D’d up against a high-scoring team.’’"

Some credit for keeping the team focused needs to go to Lance Thomas. The leadership qualities that Thomas showed are something Hornacek lauded him for. The morning of the Suns game, just hours after allowing 130 points to the Denver Nuggets, Thomas delivered a spirited talk at breakfast to get the team going.

After that embarrassing performance, the Knicks stepped it up defensively against the Suns. The 85 points surrendered snapped a 10-game streak in which the Knicks had allowed at least 100 points.

Hornacek also deserves some praise for pumping up Enes Kanter. Hornacek met with Kanter to get him out of his funk, asking for a renewed spark. Kanter responded.

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Kanter scored a game-high 20 points, adding 10 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season. He also baited budding Suns’ star Devin Booker into his second technical foul and subsequent ejection.

Another thing Hornacek took away from the road trip was the toughness of Hardaway Jr. Hardaway was hurt against the Suns but toughed it out. He was restricted throughout the trip, but gave it his most when on the court.

"“Tim’s a tough kid — that’s what we’re trying to build here with the Knicks, finding guys like that who compete every night,’’ Hornacek said. “Tim and Trey [Burke] are the same. I started laughing. When Trey came off the court, he was mad because he didn’t play well the first part of the game. They get hard on themselves.’’"

Burke played with Hardaway Jr. at Michigan. They played two seasons together, losing in the NCAA championship game before declaring for the NBA Draft that year.

Burke had some big games for the Knicks on the trip. Hornacek will have a tough decision to make going forward with playing time in the backcourt, as Hardaway Jr. should be back to full strength and Burke is playing well enough to get extended minutes.

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Finding another productive player in the backcourt is another positive for Hornacek and the Knicks. They still have a glimmer of hope for the postseason, and their performance during the road trip is a reason for that.

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