West Point 'disappointed' in Noah's troop stance

The United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., released a statement Friday night critical of New York Knicks center Joakim Noah's decision to skip a team dinner with Army cadets this week due to political objections.

"The U.S. Military Academy at West Point develops leaders of character for the defense of our Nation," Academy spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker said in a release to New York media. "We are disappointed and feel Mr. Noah's choice of West Point to make a statement is inappropriate because of the great sacrifice that has originated from this institution over our Nation's history."

Noah passed on the dinner, saying that while he is "not anti-troops," he objects to the idea of militarism. Head coach Jeff Hornacek said he had no problem with Noah's stance, as it is his First Amendment right.

Later Friday, the Knicks organization tweeted photos of Noah speaking with Army cadets during the team's current training camp at the academy up the Hudson River from New York City.

"I'm not a very patriotic person, to be honest," the 31-year-old Noah said, according to the Wall Street Journal's Chris Herring. "I don't understand the whole flags, supporting flags. I'm more into supporting people."