How long will Jeff Hornacek’s honeymoon last with the New York Knicks?
Not too long. Like, not even before he officially signs his contract to become the team’s next head coach.
Apparently, though Phil Jackson was blown away from Hornacek’s interview, he only turned to him because Kurt Rambis wouldn’t fly with the rest of the world. From the New York Post‘s Marc Berman:
Jackson made this his own hire — not succumbing to fan/media pressure to bring in Vogel, who accepted an offer Thursday from Orlando, or hiring Blatt, whom Knicks general manager Steve Mills pushed to bring aboard. According to a source, it’s also known Jackson pal and Warriors coach Steve Kerr considers Hornacek an excellent choice.
But in bypassing Rambis, Jackson caved to external pressure. Sources acknowledged the overwhelming amount of negative vibes that existed regarding a move to Rambis affected the unflappable Jackson, who kept seeking an alternative. And Hornacek hit it out of the park.
As one person close to the situation cracked, “Phil was getting murdered for hiring somebody he didn’t hire.”
This runs counter to a report from Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck that noted Hornacek was among the first candidates Jackson contacted. And for what it’s worth, as it should be worth a whole lot, Beck also listed Hornacek as a candidate back in February.
Even if the end result here has something to do with Phil Jackson’s inability to sell Rambis to the public, as well as the rest of the organization, it’s a good thing. It means that Jackson is self-aware, and not living on an island. That he would show the judgment necessary to pass on a good friend and colleague for the better of the team (and himself), even if reluctantly, is a win for the Knicks.
Thus, any way you slice it or repackage it, Hornacek is a win for all of New York.
