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

By Maxwell Ogden

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
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 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) passes around Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) passes around Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Facilitating

If Joakim Noah were simply a defensive spark plug and vocal leader who worked hard on the boards, he’d have respect in all circles. The fact that Noah has a genuinely elite offensive skill, however, makes him all the more valuable.

As it pertains to passing from the high post, there are few big men who do it as well Noah—and that extends throughout the depths of NBA history.

Noah broke out as a facilitator in 2012-13, when he averaged a career-high 4.0 assists per game. He then made history by averaging 5.4 assists per game in 2013-14—the year he was named to the All-NBA First Team.

The list of players who have averaged at least 5.0 assists per game at 6’11” or taller is brief: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Vlade Divac, Kevin Garnett, Noah, and Bill Walton.

Noah averaged 4.7 assists per game and 5.5 assists per 36 minutes—identical to his 2013-14 mark—in 2014-15. In 2015-16, he dished out 3.8 assists in just 21.8 minutes per game, which translates to 6.2 assists per 36 minutes.

Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are certainly capable distributors, but the New York Knicks’ system is designed for big men like Noah to excel as facilitators.

Realistic Expectation: 4.0 APG

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