Jazz center Rudy Gobert faced little resistance against the Knicks last Wednesday, dunking on them every chance he got. After one slam, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek screamed to Willy Hernangomez, “Foul him!”
Three nights later in San Antonio, Hornacek found himself saying the same thing to Hernangomez with Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge having their way on the Knicks inside.
Hernangomez has been better than expected, a reliable offensive contributor, whose game and importance have grown with Joakim Noah injured and now facing a 20-game ban for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. But Hernangomez knows he needs to improve defensively, and either challenge shots or foul someone to avoid an easy basket.