Joakim Noah has grown disgruntled within the New York Knicks organization, reportedly taking a leave of absence after Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Amid the recent news of his blow-up with head coach Jeff Hornacek, sources told USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick that Noah's issue was rooted in a promise that never came to fruition.
“According to two people with knowledge of the situation, Noah’s playing time in Tuesday's loss against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena is at the root of the friction,” wrote Amick. “With fellow big men Kristaps Porzingis out with left knee irritation and Kyle O’Quinn sitting with a left calf injury, Noah had been told to prepare for a rare chance at significant playing time.”
Noah entered the game for the first time two minutes into the second quarter, but once Golden State had increased the lead to 16 points, Hornacek was quick to sub him out for starter Enes Kanter, keeping Noah done for the night.
“From Noah’s view, this was a far cry from the plan that had been discussed – not to mention a disrespectful way to treat a veteran who hadn’t played in the previous 10 games.”
Noah has been at the bottom of a four-center logjam along with Kanter, Kyle O'Quinn and last year's starter Willy Hernangomez — all getting much less playing time than they expected coming into this season.
The Hells Kitchen native was brought to his hometown team in a four-year, $72 million deal, but has yet to live up to his massive contract, mired by injuries, a suspension, and disappointing play after injury doubts had plagued his exit from the Chicago Bulls.
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