Horny has Noah place to put Joak
BEING a defensive captain from behind the bench — or, essentially a well-dressed cheerleader — pays well these days in the NBA.
Joakim Noah was inactive for the second straight game for the Knicks since his reinstatement from a 20game PED suspension, and it doesn’t sound as if the $72 million former NBA Defensive Player of the Year is going to slide back into the playing rotation anytime soon.
“Yeah, we talked about it. With the amount of centers, we can’t even really find a lot of minutes for Willy (Hernangomez). We’ll just have to play it by ear and see where it goes,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said before Wednesday’s 106-101 win over Utah at the Garden. “I think the NBA should not have an inactive list. They have 15 guys on the roster, make 15 spots on the bench.
“Because then you have games where maybe you can get everybody in, get them some run. But then you have two guys that are inactive. It’s a tough spot. But Jo’s a professional. He’s continuing to work hard and wait for his time.”
Noah, who was inactive alongside second-year point guard Ron Baker, also did not dress when he was first eligible to play this season on Monday night in Cleveland.
Imported big man Enes Kanter has thrived since coming over from Oklahoma City in the preseason Carmelo Anthony trade, averaging 14 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in the Knicks’ 8-6 start. Kyle O’Quinn has earned the majority of the leftover minutes as the backup center, leaving Hernangomez and now Noah to fight for the remaining scraps.
Asked if he envisions a scenario of dressing f our centers for any upcoming games, Hornacek added he’s “not looking to do that right away.”
“Jo’s a great team guy. He wants us to win. He sees how they’re playing right now. He doesn’t want to have to rock the boat, but he is competitive and he wants to be out there to help us,” Hornacek said.
COURTNEY’S CRAMP
Courtney Lee appeared to be hobbling late in the game, but insisted he is OK after suffering from cramps in his left hamstring throughout the fourth quarter and also taking a knee to the “butt bone” in the final minute.
“I’m fine, bro,” Lee said. “Next game (Friday in Toronto) I’ll be ready. I’m fine.”
OH, BROTHER
Porzingis’ brother/agent Janis, who publicly questioned the Knicks’ direction earlier this month, was spotted conferring with team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry on the sidelines before the game.
LANDIN’ DONOVAN
Rookie shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, whom the Knicks considered with the No. 8 overall pick before drafting point guard Frank Ntilikina, scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half, including three three-pointers.
The former Louisville star and the son of Mets director of player relations Donovan Mitchell Sr. is averaging 14.9 points per game.
“Well, we liked him when he came out for a workout here,” Hornacek said. “He’s a strong kid. He knows how to play…He’s stepped right in there and I think he plays with great confidence. He’s got the strength, he’s got big hands, he’s got long arms. He’s off to a great start.”