2. Defensive Tenacity
If Joakim Noah’s offensive game isn’t your cup of tea, then his defensive tenacity should be enough to win you over. He doesn’t take plays off, refuses to back down from physicality, and is willing to sacrifice his body for the benefit of the team.
The latter point has resulted in Noah battling injuries, but it also helped the Chicago Bulls build the culture of an elite defensive team.
The shining example of Noah’s value can be found in his winning the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year award. It was a well-deserved honor that also included his receiving a third career All-Defensive Team selection.
Even if Noah fails to perform at an award-winning level, his mere presence would positively influence New York’s defense in 2016-17.
Beyond his individual defense is the way Noah manages to keep his teammates’ energy and effort at a high level. He won’t let his teammates play lazily on the defensive end, nor will he allow an opponent to drive the lane without paying a physical price.
Noah is a defensive anchor in every sense of the word, and that trait would be valuable to any and every team.
Next: Respect