New York Knicks: Realistic Expectations For Joakim Noah In 2016-17

Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) warms up before the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Scoring

Joakim Noah has never been the type of player who focused on field goal attempts or scoring numbers. True as that may be, his inefficiency as a scorer in 2015-16 is far too concerning to merely gloss over and disregard.

Noah doesn’t need to score with extraordinary volume, but he must be a more efficient presence in 2016-17.

Noah averaged a career-worst 4.3 points per game and 7.0 points per 36 minutes during the 2015-16 regular season. More important than the volume, however, were the atrocious shooting percentages that he posted.

Noah posted career-worst marks of 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 48.9 percent shooting from the free throw line.

The good news for the New York Knicks is that Noah had never previously dipped below 60 percent at the free throw line. The better news is that 2015-16 was just the second time in nine seasons that he shot worse than 47.5 percent from the field.

Noah may not lead the league in field goal or free throw percentage, but he should be much closer to his career marks of 49.0 percent and 71.1 percent in 2016-17.

Realistic Expectation: 7.5 PPG, .475/.000/.650

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