Joakim Noah escaped what could have been NBA limbo after being largely inactive for a season and a half with the New York Knicks, fortunately landing with the Memphis Grizzlies after a large period off the hardwood.

Noah had his first start for the Grizzlies on March 8 against the Utah Jazz, the first since Feb. 4, 2017, when he took the floor as a member of the Knicks, soon to be ousted by the team. Yet the moment didn't bring any extra joy, as he had already been having fun with this team long before making his return to the starting lineup for that one game.

“That’s not what it’s about for me right now,” Noah told Omari Sankofa II of The Athletic. “Right now I’m just enjoying this. The chemistry is good, it’s fun to play like that. The camaraderie, the ball movement, guys are playing for each other. We’re having fun. And especially in the NBA, it’s rare. There’s teams that win big and don’t have fun because of expectations, the ball only reaching certain people’s hands. I think a lot of people are eating.”

His teammates have also enjoyed Noah's presence as much as he has enjoyed a fresh start with an NBA team, already seeing the fruits of his intensity.

“He pushes them every day,” said point guard Mike Conley. “He’s a competitor, he doesn’t take days off. He goes after them every day. He’s a constant in trying to make each point a lesson. Every time something happens, there’s a lesson to be learned. It’s cool to have another guy like that on your team who can lead and pave it forward.”

Noah is putting up a humble 7.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for the season, but most importantly, he has regained the sheer joy for the game and feels honored to play, even in his limited role with the Grizzlies.