It’s the Grammys, stupid.
According to industry sources, the major factor in the Knicks’ home-heavy early schedule is a combination of the Garden hosting the Grammys in January and the Big Ten tournament for the first time ever in early March.
On Friday, Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy floated a conspiracy theory the NBA gave the Knicks a front-loaded home schedule so the marquee franchise could “build some confidence.”
When asked about Van Gundy needling the NBA, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said Sunday after practice: “No, you play 82. You play 41 at home and 41 on the road.