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New York Knicks: One Area In Which Every Starter Must Improve

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) shoots the ball during warmups before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) shoots the ball during warmups before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Joakim Noah: Finishing At The Rim

Position: Center
Age: 31 (2/25/1985)
Experience: 10th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .497/.000/.417
2016-17 Season Averages: 22.7 MPG, 5.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.4 ORPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG

It goes without saying that the New York Knicks need Joakim Noah to improve on the defensive end of the floor. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year was brought in to stabilize the defense, but that’s yet to transpire.

For as poor of a defensive team as the Knicks may be, what’s keeping Noah off the court is his limited offense.

Noah is shooting 52.4 percent in the restricted area in 2016-17, which is a telling sign of how badly he’s struggled. The league average is 60.4 percent, which means he’s 8.0 percent less efficient than he’s expected to be.

Though it’s defense that matters most, it’s practical to believe that Noah improving his offensive efficiency would help his confidence on both ends of the floor.

When Noah gets going early, his energy levels and overall level of intensity are maintained throughout the full game. It’s games of that nature that New York tends to win on the strength of its passion and commitment.

Nothing matters more for Noah than finding a way to help stabilize the defense, but being able to convert the bunnies that he’s been missing could be what he needs to find his confidence.

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