:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53537511/usa_today_9896289.0.jpg)
The New York Knicks held practice Saturday ahead of tomorrow’s “Battle of the Super Teams” against the Golden State Warriors. Both squads are missing transcendent superstars at the moment — Kevin Durant definitely won’t play for the Warriors, and Willy Hernangomez has missed the past few games with an ankle sprain.
The good news for Knicks fans is that Willy ran through at least some of Saturday’s practice with his teammates.
Willy Hernangomez went through portions of practice today and is questionable for tomorrow's game vs Golden State.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 4, 2017
If Willy is anywhere less than 100% healthy, there’s no reason to risk sending him out there, particularly against a Warriors roster that has added Matt Barnes’ barely-restrained rage to Draymond Green and his fondness for nut-punching.
As for Willy himself, you can be damn sure he’s chomping at the bit to get back on the court.
Ah yes, the up-and-under move against the Spurs. That was fun. Let’s watch it again!
In other news, Jeff Hornacek responded to Carmelo Anthony’s comments about the Knicks being unwilling to adjust late in games:
"I think maybe later in the game (we are predictable), but there’s different options off of that predictability or that set that they can do," Hornacek said. "It can be into a corner pick and roll. But if we don’t come off – if we just throw it to Carmelo and stand, then it becomes predictable. But the guys are supposed to come off that, get to the corner. Mel, if he doesn’t have a good move there, that elbow shot, then he can go to the corner pick and roll and put pressure on them that way."
I said my piece about this in the recap: Out of timeouts, when Hornacek has more direct control over the play-calling, the Knicks run better stuff. Otherwise, the ball is almost constantly in the hands of Melo or Derrick Rose late in games, and it’s up to them to get their teammates moving instead of pounding the ball on the weak side. Melo did it far more last season, so I’m not sure what the deal is, but it’s too damn late in the campaign to be bitching about these things. Call the big over to set a screen for you and get something going. Do something!