Knicks' Noah: 'I feel a step slow defensively'

Uncertainty abounds as the remodeled New York Knicks prepare to open their season, and new center Joakim Noah isn't exactly offering up a greater sense of security.

The 31-year-old, brought aboard (at a hefty price) to anchor the Knicks' leaky defense, told reporters after practice Sunday that he's feeling sluggish after missing nearly the entire preseason due to hamstring and ankle injuries.

"Right now I feel a step slow defensively," Noah said, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone. "I have to do better. I have to do better for this ballclub. We all do."

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Noah also sat out the final 43 games of last season (when he was still a Chicago Bull) after undergoing shoulder surgery, and even before that had looked significantly hampered in his return from the previous offseason's knee surgery. He hasn't played much basketball recently, let alone healthy basketball, so rust is understandable. But this likely isn't how the Knicks envisioned Noah starting his career in New York, and they have no assurance that his being a step slow isn't just the status quo at this point.

Noah, for his part, is confident that it isn't.

"I feel like I haven't played in a long time," he said. "I just have to get my steps, get my first step back and it will come. It will come."

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is similarly optimistic about the former All-NBA big man recapturing at least some semblance of his old form.

"Jo just kind of got back to practicing here again about a week ago," Hornacek said. "So he's continuing to get in better shape. But his enthusiasm, his energy level kind of inspires all of our guys when he's out there.

"Since he got hurt a little I think he maybe took a little step back but he's getting it back. But we want him to kind of be the guy patrolling back there. (If) somebody gets beat, that he's there protecting us. I'm sure he'll get there."

Noah, who will earn $72 million over the next four years with the Knicks, averaged a career-low 4.3 points, while shooting a career-worst 38.3 percent from the field and 48.9 percent from the free-throw line, in 29 games for the Bulls last season. He did, however, chip in 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, and the Bulls surrendered 5.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.