NOAH YOUR ROLE
$55M center fine with coming off the bench
WASHINGTON — Six surgeries for Joakim Noah in his career. Six rehabs.
At this point, nobody can argue that Phil Jackson was smart by investing so much in a broken-down body last summer. But what’s done is done. Noah is on this roster with $55 million remaining on his contract, and he understands his new role is coming off the bench.
“That’s probably what it’s going to be,” said Noah, who had two points, five rebounds and in 12 minutes in the Knicks’ 104100 loss to the Wizards on Friday. “Right now we have a lot of talented players at my position. That’s just the reality. So it’s about being as supportive as possible, and then when my number’s called going out there and making an impact.”
Now 32 and four seasons removed from his Defensive Player of the Year campaign, Noah is hoping this one can be a redemption tour. He was expected to play Friday against the Wizards for the first time since Feb. 4, the date he injured his hamstring and set forth on the most depressing stretch of his career.
First there was a knee surgery. Then a PED suspension. Then a shoulder surgery. All without stepping on the court.
“I’m dealing with a lot of adversity right now,” Noah said. “It’s just where the cards fall. It’s like being a rookie all over again. I have to prove myself. And I have to prove myself everyday. It’s a challenge. It’s a challenge I put myself in.”
Noah, to his credit, has shouldered the blame for the drug suspension. He failed to consult team trainers about a supplement, and was burned for ingesting an equivalent of an anabolic steroid. It came out of his pocket and reputation. Since the suspension carries over, Noah will sit out the first 12 games once the regular season begins. He can’t even be in the arena.
But Noah can play in the preseason, which is why Jeff Hornacek said he’s debuting his veteran at the Verizon Center.
“He’s been itching to play,” Hornacek said. “We just have to be careful. He’s coming off those injuries, but he worked really hard and he looks great right now. We want to make sure we’re not wearing him out. We’ll probably take it slowly.”
Given the Knicks’ path to a long rebuild, the best strategy for Noah is to play well to make himself tradeable. New York reportedly tried to include Noah in proposals with Carmelo Anthony in the offseason, but the contract was considered too toxic.
The Knicks then moved further away from Noah by touting Willy Hernangomez as a core piece, keeping Kyle O’Quinn and trading for Enes Kanter. They all play center. They’re also younger and healthier than Noah, who is trying to lead through sacrifice.
“If we’re in camp right here, and a young guy says, ‘You know, I’m tired.’ I kind of just look at him like, ‘I had six surgeries,’” Noah said. “‘You’re tired but we’re out here early getting treatment just to be able to get to shootaround.’ It’s a different mentality. It was a blessing just to be able to do the whole training camp every day. So I feel like I’m in a good place. I just want them to see how I deal with my adversity and I think that’s showing the young guys stuff.”