Knicks Rumors: Phil Jackson Reportedly Won't Fire Jeff Hornacek

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly has no plans to fire head coach Jeff Hornacek despite the team's inability to live up to expectations following offseason roster upgrades.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Thursday that Hornacek's job is "safe" in part because he's maintained an open line of communication with Jackson.

More specifically, Hornacek has been willing to give the 71-year-old former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach input on installing the triangle offense. The team started the season by trying a hybrid approach that featured some additional pace.

Ian Begley of ESPN.com passed along comments the 13-time NBA champion made about the situation on The Big Podcast with Shaq in November.

"How do you teach a system that requires so many fundamental skills to players that really haven't been taught some of that basic stuff?" Jackson said. "Footwork and passing and all those rudiment type of skills that are learned that have been, that have changed over a few years? It's a different game."

Jackson has been on the court in recent weeks helping the team learn those basic elements of the triangle, according to Berman. The team's current coach stated he doesn't mind the extra help.

"We talk about stuff all the time," Hornacek said. "When he comes out and demonstrates for guys, he's so used to being out on the court. It’s fun for him to do. Guys getting another look at it from a guy who's run it for years and years."

In the bigger picture, it's been a disappointing season for the Knicks.

New York acquired Derrick Rose in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bulls and signed Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings in free agency. The moves were made to bolster a roster that featured Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Rose was so confident following the overhaul that he declared the Knicks a "superteam" in the same category as the Golden State Warriors, per Lang Whitaker of NBA.com.

They haven't come anywhere close to fitting the label. Their record currently stands at 27-41; barring an unexpected late surge, they are set to miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. It will send the front office back to the drawing board over the summer.

One change that apparently won't be made, however, is at head coach. Hornacek is primed to hold that position into the 2017-18 campaign.