New York Knicks: Joakim Noah returns to Chicago for inspiration
New York Knicks veteran center Joakim Noah continues to wait his turn on the depth chart, but should see plenty of inspiration during road trip to Chicago.
It seems almost like another career ago when Joakim Noah was considered a top-five center in the NBA garnering All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The veteran big man has faced his share of injuries, controversies and suspensions since signing the infamous four-year, $74 million contract.
Noah hasn’t seen much playing time with the New York Knicks this season since being activated from his substance abuse suspension. In total he’s played only 11 minutes with the squad mostly in garbage time as the team looked to rest starters. The Knicks are currently stocked with talented centers starting with Enes Kanter, who is usually relieved by Kyle O’Quinn and then in emergency cases, second-year big man Willy Hernangomez.
Barring injury, the depth chart has Noah placed dead last without many opportunities to break into the lineup anytime soon. In response to this logjam at one position and Noah needing to get some work in, the Knicks sent the 11-year pro to the G League to play with the Westchester Knicks — a move that head coach Jeff Hornacek feels will only benefit Noah in the long run as he told reporters last week after practice.
"“You see major league pitchers pitching a Single-A game just to get tuned up. That’s how we want to approach our G League team. We want to use it to develop young guys, but give older guys who maybe aren’t getting reps an opportunity to go play some games. It’s right here in town. They can just pop over and play in the games, and we think that’s a good thing.“We’ve got four guys playing one position. It’s tough. It’s tough on all of them. Periodically, we want to try to make sure we get them in at some point and get some minutes. It’s hard if you go two months and don’t play. That’s why you saw Jo get some tune-up work with the G League team.”"
New York’s next game just happens to be in the city that made Noah famous as the Knicks battle the struggling Chicago Bulls Saturday night. Chicago is most likely headed to the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery and should be a favorable matchup for the Knicks that provides time for Noah to possibly see the United Center court again. In his nine seasons in Chicago, Noah averaged 9.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, garnering two All-Star selections and the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year award.
He finished in the top four of the league’s MVP voting in 2013-14, leading the Bulls to the playoffs without Derrick Rose. It’s safe to say that Noah may never return to form again, but the familiar surroundings should spark hope and inspiration for what the good times were like in the league. Before last season’s first matchup against Chicago on the road Noah responded via reporters to owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s criticism of him as “not a frontline player,” and the refusal to re-sign him.
"“He’s entitled to his opinion, I feel I have no regrets about my time in Chicago. I gave it everything I had. To me that’s all that matters. I did everything I could for that organization. I thought it was a little bit of a low blow, but at the end of the day I have nothing but respect for that organization. I’m just excited for this new chapter of my career.”"
Noah will continue to be tossed around in trade rumors but it’s highly unlikely a team will take on the $55.6 million owed to him over the next few years.
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In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if the Knicks will work Noah more into the lineup and rest Kanter more as he continues to play with a sore back. Either way, it should be a fun night in Chicago as Noah returns with the same non-filtered aggression that made him a fan favorite.