
Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah spent the better part of the preseason either not playing or not looking to score. During the preseason finale, however, Noah offered a glimpse into the forgotten reality that he can score a reasonable amount of points when his number is called.
Matched up against All-Star center Brook Lopez, Noah looked like his old self on both ends of the floor.
.@JoakimNoah off to a 🔥 start with 8p & 2r early in the 1Q! Nets 13 #Knicks 10. Watch on @MSGNetworks! #NYKvsBKN pic.twitter.com/UdTuv79UZC
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2016
Noah finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two offensive boards, three assists, and one block in 21 minutes of action. He shot 6-of-9 from the field and finished with a +/- of +4 for the victorious New York Knicks.
It was yet another solid performance by Noah, who came back strong after missing the Knicks’ first three preseason games with a hamstring injury.
Noah’s value to the Knicks will be in his ability to rebound, defend, and facilitate at borderline elite levels. For all of the negativity surrounding him, he’s still a nightly double-double threat, a gifted facilitator, and a genuine leader on defense.
Noah is also a force in transition, a valuable pick and roll dive man, and a relentless worker who can score when he needs to. He’s looking better every time out.