New York Knicks: Players Who Must Step Up Against Indiana Pacers

4. Joakim Noah

Position: Center
Games Played: 23 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .464/.000/.306
2016-17 Season Averages: 21.2 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG

The Indiana Pacers haven’t exactly dominated the paint, the boards, or the pick and roll early in 2016-17. Nevertheless, the New York Knicks are going to need Joakim Noah to establish an interior advantage against the small-ball Pacers.

New York is capable of going small itself, but an ideal way to overwhelm the Pacers’ budding frontcourt is to make it play to its disadvantages.

Paul George, Thaddeus Young, and Myles Turner will all be featured on the offensive end of the floor. George is an all-around scoring threat, while Young is a dynamic slasher and Turner is a skilled big man who can space the floor.

Kristaps Porzingis will likely spend time defending Turner due to Young’s status as a limited shooter, but Noah will need to step up in either capacity.

In addition to defending at a high level, Noah must continue to thrive as the Knicks’ most productive offensive rebounder—see: a team-high 3.0 per game. Indiana, meanwhile, is averaging nearly 12 offensive rebounds per game.

With Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn emerging as threats to his starting role, this is the perfect opportunity for Noah to reaffirm his starter status.