Abby Hornacek talks dad, Knicks
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A certain sports journalist in Chicago believes she has strong insight into attributes that make Jeff Hornacek a good NBA coach.
“He’s the most dedicated person I’ve ever met, most motivated,’’ Hornacek’s 22-year-old daughter, Abby, told The Post in a phone interview. “That’s been great for me growing up, having him as a role model. After a game, he comes home and watches the game two times. He really puts everything he has into it. That’s what makes him really great.’’
Abby, a journalism major at USC, landed her first full-time gig in mid-August with a Jerry Reinsdorf-owned digital network 120 Sports in Chicago. Her father, who will orchestrate his first Knicks training camp beginning Sept. 26, came on as a guest last week when in town for the NBA coaches’ meetings.
“He was a player and understands the kind of relationships that go on,’’ Abby said, regarding her father’s coaching prowess. “He understands what the players are going through and how to work with them. He’s got a great basketball mind, sees the court and the mechanics. He’s very good at seeing everything. I would classify him as having a basketball sense. It comes naturally to him and that helps his role as a coach.’’
Abby played a small role in team president Phil Jackson hiring her father, making their get-together convenient. Hornacek was a long shot until their mid-May interview in Los Angeles. Hornacek was in L.A. for Abby’s USC graduation and met with Jackson there the next day. The Zen Master has a home in nearby Playa del Rey.
“I was super-excited but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high,’’ she said.
Something of a sports geek, Abby has long has aspired to be a journalist. During college, she was career-minded, toiling at a series of sportscasting gigs — FOX Sports San Diego, FOX Sports Arizona and at the NBA’s summer-league website, where she interviewed commissioner Adam Silver.
Abby has requested off Oct. 29 so she can attend the Knicks’ home opener vs. Memphis. She predicts a clear-cut playoff club.
“I think the team they have right now is very well-balanced with veterans and young players,’’ Abby said. “They have [Carmelo Anthony], [Joakim] Noah, [Derrick] Rose, [Courtney] Lee — all been through the playoff grind. That’s a great balance to the younger players like Kristaps [Porzingis], [Brandon] Jennings, Justin Holiday.
“I think D-Rose will be great. He can really break defenses down. He’s a money player and defensive force against other guards in the league.’’
In an email response, Hornacek said about his daughter’s new career: “My wife Stacy and I are extremely proud of Abby. She made a lot of sacrifices in college and worked very hard to accomplish her career goals while still graduating cum laude. … We are very excited to see her growth in a very tough field and for everyone to find out what a funny, smart and loving young woman she is.’’
Hornacek’s dedication to his daughter isn’t lip service. He got the grueling assignment of driving a cargo van 30 hours from Phoenix to Chicago to move her in.
“I’m a very lucky daughter,’’ Abby said.
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