Why so little love for Jeff ??????

[aauummm]

Maybe because he played before most posters were born.

I remember watching him play at ISU. He was fantastic, one of my all time favorites.

[ISUKyro]

As a kid born and raised in Ames I remember hearing his name - but sadly too young to have memories built in.

[longtimeclone]

I was a Jazz fan because of Hornacek, Stockton, and Malone.

Too bad for them that they peaked when MJ was peaking as well.

Yes, I was Jazz fan too. With that trio I was nearly unstoppable in NBA Jam because I shoot so many threes.

[mitten1975]

Jeff turned me into a Cyclone Fanatic. It wasn't Johnny Orr, and I will give Jeff Grayer some credit on this one also. I think Jeff Grayer was an amazing player, too bad what happened to his knee. I love Johnny Orr, but those first teams of his were really amazing over-achievers. Jeff was a walk-on. I was one of the few people that thought he was completely over-looked in the NBA draft. I watched lots of the NCAA tourney that year, and I didn't see any guards that were any better than Jeff, most were painful to watch compared to him, even the highly rated ones. He had great court vision, and made so few mental mistakes.

[CycloneErik]

I don't remember Jeff at ISU and was not even born yet but that does not mean it didn't happen. He played against MJ in the NBA Finals I thought more kids would remember that.

Many were 3 or younger during those Finals.

[mitten1975]

Many were 3 or younger during those Finals.

I am a very old man.

[jdoggivjc]

You make it sound like "legendary" ISU athletes is a common discussion around here, as if we discuss players like Jamaal Tinsley, Marcus Fizer, Kelvin Cato, and the Davis brothers are discussed here all the time. They're simply not - and they played 15-20 years ago. Hell - even Fred Hoiberg wasn't discussed all that much until he became the coach.

There's plenty of love for Hornacek around here, even if he isn't regularly discussed.

[BallSoHard4Cy]

Horny is an underrated Cyclone no doubt, he had the best pro career of any Iowan ever. Most posters on here never saw Fred play either(@ ISU), doesn't seem to hurt his rep.

[tee1up]

I remember when the NBA draft was going on, and they had an old GM type talking about the players. When it came to Horny, he said something to the effect of Jeff being the closest thing to Bob Cousy he had ever seen. He was great for the Jazz.

[letsCYber]

We love him. I assure you, we would be posting daily articles about him 25 years ago had this site existed.

[Danger]

Because Hornacek was much more of a facilitator at ISU than a scorer. The scorers get all the love. And because a lot of the people on this board may not have been alive when he played.

Six career 12-assist games (out of 16 total in school history).
#2 and #3 single-season assist totals.
#1 in career assists.
#1 and #2 in single-season APG.
#2 in career APG.
#3 single-season A/TO (behind two Holloway seasons).
#2 career A/TO.

"BASKET BY GRAYER, ASSIST TO HORNACEK!

Thank you, Gary Wade. That statement has its place in the mythology of Hilton Magic.

[mitten1975]

Hornecek went 46th overall, 2nd round. I am not sure I would have had him behind any guard in the draft that year. Of course by then I was a Cyclone fanatic.

[isuno1fan]

[Amesboy]

I loved watching Jeff playing in the NBA. Really durable and consistent. Guys loved playing with him and he improved so much after playing at ISU. MJ thought Hornacek was one of the best players in the NBA. That says allot coming from the best ever.
Jeff Hornacek: "Down Home Guy." | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE UTAH JAZZ

[JRE1975]

Jeff was not a great scorer for average, but he could score a basket when we neded it and an assist was not available. But despite all the stats, very few cyclone players I have been watching since the early 70's were as fun to watch play a game as Jeff. Just think of Tinsley for four years for all you young guys.