The New York Knicks and Jeff Hornacek have reportedly agreed to terms for Hornacek to become the next head coach of the Knicks. This is an interesting move that makes one wonder if Phil Jackson lost a power struggle among the Knicks’ front office and ownership given his adherence to the triangle despite the Knicks’ inability to adjust to the triangle.

It was just last month that Jackson held a class on the triangle for the Knicks’ players, a class that Carmelo Anthony didn’t attend. However, all throughout the Knicks’ search for a head coach to replace interim head coach Kurt Rambis it was widely believed that Jackson was looking for someone with an understanding of the triangle. Enter Hornacek who has never played in the triangle and certainly didn’t use it in his time coaching the Phoenix Suns.

Hornacek is an interesting choice for the Knicks. He used an up-tempo offense that saw some success in Phoenix. He ran an offense with the Suns that ranked eighth and third in pace in his first two full seasons with the team. The Knicks, in contrast, ran the fifth slowest offense in the league.

Last season, the Knicks started off well, utilizing Kristaps Porzingis’ strengths but things seemed to bog down when Jackson insisted Derek Fisher use the triangle more. Eventually Fisher was fired and Rambis who is a Jackson acolyte, took over. The Knicks got progressively worse as the season wore on and one wondered why Jackson would insist in keeping the triangle when his team was obviously struggling to grasp the fundamentals of it.

It is possible, though highly unlikely, that Hornacek will run the triangle with the Knicks. Being that he has no experience with it one has to wonder if Knicks’ ownership forced Jackson to look outside of the triangle and hire someone who could coach the personnel on the Knicks’ roster. This couldn’t possibly be Jackson’s idea. He is so dedicated to the triangle that it is frustrating for both players and fans.

If Hornacek is not going to run the triangle then the Knicks should have someone that can take advantage of Pozingis and Anthony and potentially open up the Knicks’ offense. This is an intriguing hire both on and off the court. As long as the triangle is dead, the Knicks could battle for a playoff spot next season.