According to Jeff Hornacek, Frank Ntilikina should tackle his offseason with the following directive: get stronger.
“He’s 19. He’s never been in a weight program,” the coach said. “Our strength guys are working hard with him. He has gotten stronger. But it’s going to take him a couple years, almost like (Kristaps Porzingis) — it’s going to take him a couple of years to get that strength. Everything kind of becomes easier. You don’t get knocked off your spot. You finish better. The more strength you have, the more conditioning you actually do and you don’t get tired. This is just the tip for him.”
Beyond working on his body, the Knicks hope Ntilikina uses the summer to get further adjusted to the quick pace of the American game. His slow dribble and first-step has been a detriment to his game, especially if he’s playing point guard.
But Ntilikina, who has struggled physically and mentally with the NBA schedule, said during All-Star weekend that he hopes to go back home to France to work on his game over the summer. Hornacek suggested Monday that Ntilikina would at least return for Summer League in July.
“We haven’t discussed any of that stuff. We encourage the guys after the season to go back. It’s tough on a kid to leave home. You got to go home and be back a little bit,” Hornacek said. “But I’m sure we’ll have him back in the summer and for Summer League.”
Frank Ntilikina attempts to drive past Pascal Siakam.
(Claus Andersen/Getty Images)Of course, Hornacek may not be around this summer, either. He has one year remaining on his $15 million contract with no assurances that he’ll last beyond May.
If the Knicks keep Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke, Ntilikina could also be rendered expendable.
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
Prior to accepting the roller-coaster headache that is the Knicks head coaching job, Hornacek nearly joined the Warriors as the lead assistant to Steve Kerr.
That gig would’ve also meant he coached the Warriors as the interim in the NBA Finals, as Mike Brown did last year while Kerr was out with back problems.
Jeff Hornacek nearly joined the Warriors coaching staff.
(Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)Hornacek, who had been fired by the Suns, said Tuesday there was no formal offer from the Warriors before he signed with Phil Jackson.
“I was up there (with the Warriors staff and learning from them) and if they would’ve offered me the job and I didn’t have another head coaching opportunity I would’ve done it,” Hornacek said. “But I’m happy where I ended up.”
On the flip side, Kerr nearly became the Knicks head coach in 2014 before switching gears. It was a wise move.
“I don't look back,” Kerr said. “I obviously am very happy with the Warriors and lucky to coach these players, lucky to work with Bob Myers and Joe Lacob. I’m a California native, and I’m where I’m supposed to be.” . . . Porzinigis, out for at least a year, is expected back with the Knicks following their four-game road trip that ends March 9, according to Hornacek.