Category: New York Knicks Blog

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Joakim Noah future with Knicks uncertain

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The Knicks (22-28) have the 10th best record in the Eastern conference through Monday’s games. Their success this season has been limited, but the team is focused more on the future than the present. Veteran center Joakim Noah appears to mostly be part of the team’s past. He’s played in just seven games this season, getting just 5.7 minutes per outing of court time. And it’s unclear when he’ll be utilized again. For the latest, here’s the NY Post:

Exiled Knicks center Joakim Noah will not be with the team Wednesday in Boston, according to coach Jeff Hornacek, and indications are he may not be back with the team until after the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

The Post reported the Knicks have ramped up their trade efforts to see if they can find a taker for Noah’s contract — perhaps in a larger deal. To date, they only have had interest from teams wanting their 2018 first-round pick attached.

The Knicks had believed Noah could rejoin the team Thursday in Milwaukee, but that is now unlikely.

In fact, there’s a growing sense — if they are unable to make a trade — to not bring Noah back at all.

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Tim Hardaway Jr targeting January return

The Knicks need Tim Hardaway Jr in action. He’s their main young building block aside from Kristaps Porzingis. Here’s the NY Daily News with the latest on Hardaway:

The $71 million guard, who has already missed five weeks with a stress injury to his leg, progressed Saturday to contact practice for the first time Saturday. He will be re-evaluated next week and is hoping for a return when the Knicks are on a Western Conference road trip from Jan. 17-26.

The 25-year-old said he’ll have another bone scan next week…

The Knicks are 7-11 without Hardaway Jr. and have lost seven of their last eight. More than anything, the offense has suffered without New York’s best transition scorer.

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Some recent Knicks game notes:

After Doug McDermott drained a game-tying triple to send the game into overtime, the Miami Heat regrouped and were able to outlast the New York Knicks on a Friday night 107-103 at AmericanAirlines Arena. Courtney Lee paced the Knicks with a game high 24 points on 9-16 shooting, three rebounds and two steals over 40 minutes. Michael Beasley continued his hot streak with 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 23 minutes for a double-double. Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and seven rebounds. Wayne Ellington led the Heat with 24 points and four rebounds off the bench. Josh Richardson recorded 18 points, three steals and two assists over 40 minutes. Goran Dragic added 19 points, six rebound and six assists over 40 minutes.

Frank Ntilikina not starting for Knicks just yet

 

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Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina has shown some nice flashes on the defensive side of the floor. But on offense, he is very hesitant, and appears aware of his limitations in shooting the basketball. In 21.4 minutes per game so far this season, he’s averaging 6.0 points, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals. But he’s shooting just 37% from the field, and that’s with pretty selective shot-taking. For the latest on him, here’s the New York Daily News:

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is planning to increase rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina’s minutes, but explained his rationale on Monday as to why he will not just throw the 19-year-old in immediately with the starters.

“Sometimes it’s who meshes well with what group,” he said. “Frank is meshing well with our second group, Jarrett (Jack)’s meshing well with the first group. We see times when they do mesh with other group and it’s not so comfortable. It’s Frank’s continued work. He’s learning the teams in this league, the guys in this league, he’s going to get better as the season goes on.”

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Kristaps Porzingis exits game with knee issue

The Knicks beat the Nets Thursday night in Brooklyn. This despite Kristaps Porzingis exiting early with a knee issue. Here’s what the 7-foot 3-star had to say after the game:

On what’s going on with his knee: “It was one play, when I actually made the pass to the corner to Courtney (Lee), the three. I felt my knee, it just kind of buckled maybe a little bit and I felt a little pain there. So yeah, it’s more just being cautious, a little sharp pain there and that’s it. I honestly don’t have any more information about what is going on
there, but it shouldn’t be – hopefully, it’s not too serious.”

On if the doctors took a look at his knee and where he stands: “I don’t know. I don’t know honestly, we’ll see tonight how I feel and then tomorrow if there’s any
swelling. I think tomorrow it will be much clearer what is going on.”

On what he saw from his team down the stretch to get the win on the road: “It was a fun game. It was a physical game – very physical guys. Ron Baker had two blocks and it was fun to
watch. Our guys just played really hard. We tried to match their intensity. We know they play really hard.
They play with a lot of energy and we try to match them and Courtney was able to make some big plays in
the end and we were able to get the win.”

Knicks have logjam at center

The Knicks have roughly 47 centers, give or take. That’s too many. Managing the frontcourt rotation is tricky business. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

With Enes Kanter set to return from a three-game absence, the questions as to what the Knicks will do about their logjam at center continues to loom.

Primary backup Kyle O’Quinn earned three straight starts as Kanter sat with back spasms, while Willy Hernangomez got more than garbage time and Joakim Noah finally made his debut.

The 23-year-old Hernangomez, a member of the All-Rookie first team last season, averaged five points and 6.7 rebounds in 19 minutes during the stint without Kanter.

Noah, who was suspended for the first 12 games and inactive for the ensuing seven, received his first three minutes in a loss Monday to the Trail Blazers, scoring two points, blocking one shot, grabbing one rebound and committing one careless foul.

Jeff Hornacek was vague about how the rotation will take shape.

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Enes Kanter urges teammate to fight opponent

NBA players need to show fight on the court in the form of competitive basketball. Not in the form of actual fighting. With that in mind, here’s the New York Daily News reporting on enthusiastic Knicks center Enes Kanter:

Enes Kanter urges teammate to fight opponent

Enes Kanter was warned by the Knicks and may even hear from the league about openly telling a teammate to fight the opponent.

“The front office told me I cannot say stuff like that,” Kanter confessed Tuesday following practice. “It’s a learning process. This is my second language. When I say fight it means compete, play hard, compete. You get a tech; you get a tech. They told me I cannot say stuff like that. I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry NBA, my fault.”

Following Monday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Kanter said he told an unnamed teammate that he’ll pay his fine if he goes out there and fights with somebody. “It will get the energy up,” he said.

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