Jeremy Lin (Photo : Getty Images)
The New York Knicks will parade a new coach in Jeff Hornacek and reports say he is not bound to play the triangle offense.
Thus, based on Hornacek's coaching style with the Phoenix Suns, the offense will be fast-paced, free flowing and guard-driven. Most of the time, the Suns had a two-point guard attack which is why they had at least three starting grade point guards on the roster with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Brandon Knight, even Isaiah Thomas.
The problem is that point guard is a position of need for the team and even Hornacek himself admitted that in a press conference covered by Adam Zagoria on SNY.tv.
"(Incumbent point guards) Jose (Calderon) and Jerian (Grant) are kind of on opposite ends of the spectrum," he said."But we'll work with either one of them. If there's something out there in free agency or whatever, these guys (Phil Jackson, Knicks front office) can bring in that guy that can help a younger point guard or lend some assistance to the older point guard, that would be making our team better."
He added: "If they're here, we work with them. Knowing some of the point guards we had in Phoenix we've had some good success to get them to the next level. So it's exciting to work with all of them."
It's sounded like a very diplomatic way to tell the Zen Master to sign some point guards. The problem is, one of the best candidates may have been crossed off the list, as noted by Marc Berman of the NY Post.
As Berman rounded up the free agent point guards starting with Mike Conley, then Rajon Rondo (which Berman dubbed as "Carmelo's choice") all the way to Brandon Jennings, Jeremy Lin, Ty Lawson even Mario Chalmers, Aaron Brooks and the Heat's Tyler Johnson, two names stood out for him.
"Sources have indicated the Knicks consider Lawson's off-court issues too big a risk and Lin's defense too gaping."
Passing on Lawson is reasonable, even wise considering his disastrous season with the Houston Rockets. However, not pursuing Lin for any reason seems foolish.
Lin would be great fit in Hornacek's system and he has shown that he can thrive alongside a ball-heavy point guard in Kemba Walker with the Charlotte Hornets. As Berman pointed out, the Knicks are wary of Rondo because he "hangs on to the ball too much." That won't be a problem with Lin.
While defense should be a priority, Lin has not really been ripped for his defense. Perhaps there is another reason why Lin is off the list. Besides, these are just speculation and there's no assurance that Lin would return to New York if they pursue him as he reportedly wants to stay in Charlotte.
