The New York Knicks’ shocked the basketball world when Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck broke the news they had signed Jeff Hornacek to become the team’s 28th head coach. The enigmatic signing left the Knicks’ fan base and the media puzzled.
Phil Jackson hired a coach outside of his coaching tree, but did not aggressively pursue the best candidates available (i.e. Tom Thibbodeau, Frank Vogel). Furthermore, Hornacek’s record on paper doesn’t exactly breed enthusiasm: 101-112 (.474) in two-and-a-half years with the Phoenix Suns.
However, a lot can be blamed on personnel issues, trades, and unfortunate injuries.