National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Joakim Noah Fighting Through The Rust

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks starting center Joakim Noah understands that he still has work to do, but he isn’t backing down from the task of shaking off the rust.

The New York Knicks are either going to win as a team or suffer because of a few weak links. For as much talent as there may be, this group has been built to win as one cohesive unit that fills individual roles and holds each other accountable.

One could argue that no player will play a bigger role in the Knicks’ pursuit of team chemistry than starting center Joakim Noah.

Noah was signed to become the glue to the Knicks’ championship aspirations. He’s one of the most recognizable players in the NBA, primarily because of the infectious energy and leadership that he’s been known to provide.

According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Noah is still battling game rust, but he isn’t going to relent until he’s shed it and returned to star status.

“Right now, I feel a step slow defensively,” Joakim Noah said after Sunday’s practice. “I have to do better. I have to do better for this ballclub. We all do.”

“I feel like I haven’t played in a long time,” Noah said. “I just have to get my steps, get my first step back, and it will come. It will come.”

The question is: can Noah actually reclaim his status as one of the best defensive players in the NBA?

Noah won the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year award and has three All-Defensive Team nods on his resume. He’s also a former All-NBA First Team honoree and a two-time All-Star with an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

Noah is one of the most accomplished and decorated centers of this generation.

The Knicks are counting on him being able to play at said level for at least one season in New York.

Having said that, Noah’s coming off of a season during which he appeared in just 29 games. When he was active, he shot a career-worst 38.3 percent from the field and just 48.9 percent from the free throw line—well below his career marks of 49.0 and 71.1.

Though the rust may be disconcerting, head coach Jeff Hornacek isn’t too concerned about whether or not Noah can rediscover his previous form.

“Jo just kind of got back to practicing here again about a week ago,” he said. “So he’s continuing to get in better shape. But his enthusiasm, his energy level kind of inspires all of our guys when he’s out there.

“Since he got hurt a little, I think he maybe took a little step back, but he’s getting it back. But we want him to kind of be the guy patrolling back there. [If] somebody gets beat, that he’s there protecting us. I’m sure he’ll get there.”

Noah’s work ethic certainly permits optimism.

Noah has made it as far as he has on the strength of his will to succeed. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty down low, nor is he afraid to take a gamble on the offensive end as one of the best high-post passers in NBA history.

Though it may take some time before he finds his footing, Noah is confident that he will get back on the right track.

The Knicks will need him to be at his best in 2016-17.