New York Knicks new head coach Jeff Hornacek knows all there is to know about basketball. But if there’s a specialty Hornacek brings to the suit job from his days with a uniform job it’s his shooting expertise. The 6’3″ former shooting guard is exactly a foot shorter than the most talented young player on the Knicks, second-year phenom Kristaps Porzingis. But Hornacek recognizes a link between himself and Porzingis. It’s that rare talent for shooting the basketball.
Hornacek just saw Porzingis in the gym up close for the first time since taking over the Knicks bench. His take? “I knew he was a decent shooter, but he’s a really good shooter,” Hornacek said. “Looking at him in the gym, his stroke and how he does it and the abilities the guys are working with him on — driving to the basket, post-up game — he’s going to be a great player.” High praise from Hornacek on your shooting stroke is high praise indeed. Horacek ranks 7th in NBA history among guards for shooting accuracy. At 49.6% he’s just behind Michael Jordan and in front of Tony Parker. Maurice Cheeks and Magic Johnson lead the guard list.
