Through the first couple of weeks of the season, the New York Knicks have been without the services of former All-Star center Joakim Noah due to him serving the final 10 games of his 20 game suspension for violating the league performance-enhancing policy.
This has brought forth much uncertain as to what exactly his role will be upon his return to the team. It is something that head coach Jeff Hornacek recently addressed voicing indecisiveness in how Noah will be used, according to Steve Popper of NorthJersey.com.
“We’re going to have to figure that out when we can, with (general manager) Scott (Perry) trying to figure out what our moves are,” Hornacek said. “If all four centers are there it’s going to be a situation where we’re to have to take a look at whether we can keep all four of them out there. It’s already tough enough trying to get Willy minutes. But Jo, he’s been working hard in practice. He’s been doing a great job. So we’ll try to get him worked in at some point.
“I said it earlier in training camp, I was pleasantly surprised how he’s come back from the injuries and stuff,” Hornacek said. “I think he’s been playing great. For what he gives us, the energy, the talk defensively, that’s what we knew we were getting from him. He’s come back with that great attitude. We knew he was going to miss a bunch of these first games. He works hard after practice with our coaches. He’s ready if he’s called on.”
Noah will be coming back to a situation where the Knicks have a crowded group in the frontcourt with offseason addition Enes Kanter currently holding down the starting spot while Kyle O'Quinn and Willy Hernangomez have been jostling for backup minutes. All of this could foreseeably leave Noah out of the mix of things on the bench.
The 32-year-old is in his second year of his four-year, $72 million deal that the Knicks had hoped he could recapture his All-Star form in the frontcourt. However, he has struggled to fit in the fray with his problems offensively that severely limited his playing time in his first campaign that was ended prematurely due to a left knee injury.
It all makes an intriguing situation that may lead him to being moved by the Knicks at some point down the road if he once again struggles to find a consistent role.
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