Thanks to a revamped roster and a new leader in coach Jeff Hornacek, the New York Knicks have something to be excited for this NBA season.

No one is more excited than Joakim Noah‘s father Yannick, a former No. 3 world ranked tennis player who used to take his son to Madison Square Garden during his high school days:

“It means the world to him,” Yannick told George Willis of the New York Post. “We used to go to the Garden when he was a kid, watching games, watching Patrick (Ewing) play. To know that he's going to play in the Garden, we feel so blessed. He's preparing hard. He has a lot of hope and he can't wait.”

The Knicks boast the additions of Noah, Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings, Marshall Plumlee, and Willy Hernángomez, who they traded for on draft night.

“It's a great team,” he said. “If they find the chemistry, I think it's a great team. I think (Joakim is) very happy to have his friend (Rose) here and a lot of great players. He feels very privileged and very honored to play for Phil Jackson, too. I used to give him all of Phil's books. He read all the books.”

While many analysts doubt the chemistry of so many new faces coming together, there's no denying that the Knicks could do some damage in the East if the pieces do add up together.

Joakim Noah dealt with a left shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of his last year with the Bulls. Having had the offseason to fully heal, he could anchor a Knicks defense next to Lee and Kristaps Porzingis:

“It's a great opportunity for him,” Yannick continued. “He's going to give all he has for the city. … He's not taking it for granted, believe me. He can't wait to play and compete and dominate for the Knicks.”