Utah Jazz alumni update: Dolan, Knicks sounding off on Hornacek

Utah Jazz legend and recently dismissed New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek has been the recipient of subtle jabs from James Dolan and others.

After a rocky tenure in the Big Apple, former Utah Jazz guard and assistant coach Jeff Hornacek was relieved of his duties as headman of the New York Knicks earlier this month. Now, Knicks owner James Dolan is hitting Hornacek with subtle jabs in the press.

He’s not the only one in the organization doing it, either. But let’s go ahead and start at the top.

In a piece by the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, Dolan is quoted calling Hornacek’s coaching prowess into question. Specifically, he gave a less than glowing review of the former Jazzman’s ability to connect with players.

Said Dolan —

"“I think Hornacek had the same kind of issue that Phil did in that he didn’t grasp how different the players are now in the way they think and deal with management and the coaches.”"

The Knicks owner went on to say that Hornacek is “way behind on that.” Dolan put a bow on his comments by calling him a good coach, but everything else he said seems to indicate a different opinion.

Of course, Knicks higher-ups slagging Hornacek through the media is nothing new. Knicks president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry have both made similar statements in the Post.

Here’s Mills, via the Post’s Marc Berman —

"“I think just as we observed the team, there were a lot of things that we just thought we would be better at…”"

Hornacek may or may not have work to do before he lands his next head coaching gig, but this kind of smear campaign is nonetheless bizarre. And I, for one, have difficulty buying into such an appraisal from an owner who wiretapped his star player, has ostracized a Knicks legend and was once court-ordered to shell out millions of dollars in a sexual harassment suit.

But that’s just me.

You can’t really say with a straight face that Hornacek got a fair shake, either. During his tenure, the team doled out big money deals to the likes of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, forced him to run the triangle offense and, more recently, incurred major injuries to Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.

And that’s just the CliffsNotes.

At any rate, Hornacek’s daughter, Abby, had the best response to the Knicks weirdness on Twitter —

Hornacek’s next move is unclear. However, there’s at least one fan base that would love to see him return and fine-tune the offensive game of its players.