One day after Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek lambasted the defense — or non-defense — of his starters, saying they should be “embarrassed” by how they played, the lone player who spoke to the media Saturday was Lance Thomas.
Thomas last played Jan. 15 at Toronto, where he suffered a fractured orbital bone. Thomas made valid points and promised to bring some “intensity” and “defensive leadership” in his expected return Sunday, but no one sought tales of the 116-101 loss to Toronto last month.
But then again, the Knicks probably really did not want to talk about the horrific, 131-123 whacking they suffered against Denver on Friday. It was the most points in a non-overtime game the Knicks surrendered since a nail-biting 131-103 loss to Houston on Nov. 23, 2012.
Much of the talking done by the Knicks, who have lost nine of 12 games and host the Spurs on Sunday at the Garden, came during a film session. A really long film session that probably had popcorn intermission breaks. By the time the media types entered, starters Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose were gone and team president Phil Jackson was exiting out the side. Often, Jackson is sitting and chatting with Hornacek when doors open.
“A lot of tape. We wanted to go over a lot of things,” Hornacek said of the lengthy session that “probably” embarrassed the Knicks watching themselves but was done in a matter to induce feedback.
“What I wanted to do was to get them to talk about the tape, instead of us coaches saying, ‘If you were in three feet’ or whatever,” Hornacek said. “And they were great.”
Great in the film session, not on defense against Denver, just to be clear.
“They all chimed in. They all were trying to help each other,” Hornacek said. “I wouldn’t say pointed fingers, but they called it what it was. And if a guy didn’t do something on a play, they called it out. So I thought it was very good. They didn’t talk about it much the first couple clips. They wouldn’t sort of chime in early but once a couple of them did they all did.”
Hornacek again spoke of effort and of how little things can make a difference. Having his players review the horror film strengthened his contentions.
“They realize that a lot of things we’re talking about, we’ve been talking about all year. That when we need to get to a spot, we’re off of it for about three or four feet always,” Hornacek said.
On the court, three or four feet can be the equivalent of a mile. Like dog years.
“If we just got there a little quicker, took one more step over, we’ll be in perfect position,” said Hornacek, claiming the Knicks got it right in practice. “But in this game, if you’re out of position by three or four feet, if you’re another guard attacking, you’re looking at the extra open areas I can get through there. Really focused on the little things of being in the exact right spot a little bit earlier,”
He said the players knew he was ticked Friday.
“We got to get these stops. There’s a difference between playing defense and just playing defense and really getting after it like your life depends on it,” Hornacek said. “If you’re five feet off, get two feet off.”
From a coach’s standpoint, improving sorry defense has been a priority. But the storylines for the Knicks lately have included Charles Oakley, Anthony’s trade situation, James Dolan’s seats, Jackson’s social media messages that likely would have baffled Einstein and — until Friday — lots of close losses.
Anthony suggested it seems like a cloud has parked itself over the Knicks’ noggins.
“I was hoping that nice snowstorm the other day got rid of those clouds, but I don’t think so,” Hornacek said. “There’s something because our guys are trying. There are times when our guys don’t play as hard as we want them to. But they’re sticking together, we just can’t break through that. We have to keep doing it and doing it, keep pushing it in practice. Whatever it is, it’s hard to get out of.”