Prior to the start of the season, New York Knicks center Joakim Noah said that he felt a step slow defensively. A month later, and he still hasn’t heavily impressed for the Knicks. Noah discussed his struggles with ESPN’s Ian Begley:
“There’s still things I feel like I need to do a lot better. I’m not happy with where I am right now. I feel like I can definitely play better, but I’m not going to get frustrated with the process. I’m giving everything I’ve got and looking forward to being better with this team, but not being frustrated with the process.”
…
“I’m trying to figure it out. There’s no question. It’s been really up and down,” he said. “I think that’s kind of like my role on this team. Some nights it’s going to be my night, sometimes it’s not, but at the end of the day I just have to be consistent with my effort and be consistent and try to bring something positive to this team.”
The Knicks had likely hoped that Noah — former Defensive Player of the Year — would bolster the Knicks’ defense. To put it kindly, that has not happened. To put it a bit less kindly, the Knicks’ defense has been atrocious (28th in defensive rating), and Noah is clearly not the defensive anchor he once was.
In 12 games this season (all starts), Noah has averaged 4.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per game on 45.1% shooting from the floor and an atrocious 31.6% from the free throw line.
