Noah admits play has been 'really up and down'

After signing a four-year, $72-million deal with the New York Knicks this summer, Joakim Noah has struggled to make an impact during his first season in the Big Apple.

The 6-foot-11 big man has looked lost for large stretches at a time, leading head coach Jeff Hornacek to switch up Noah's role on a nightly basis.

"I'm trying to figure it out. There's no question. It's been really up and down," Noah told ESPN's Ian Begley. "I think that's kind of like my role on this team. Some nights it's going to be my night, sometimes it's not, but at the end of the day I just have to be consistent with my effort and try to bring something positive to this team."

The 31-year-old center has provided little offense through 12 games, averaging just 4.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting, while shooting a ghastly 31.6 percent from the line. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year hasn't fared much better on the other end of the floor, with the Knicks surrendering fewer points per 100 possessions when Noah sits.

"There's still things I feel like I need to do a lot better. I'm not happy with where I am right now," Noah said. "I feel like I can definitely play better, but I'm not going to get frustrated with the process. I'm giving everything I've got and looking forward to being better with this team, but not being frustrated with the process."

While his numbers may suggest otherwise, head coach Jeff Hornacek remains satisfied with Noah's play thus far, praising him for the energy he provides.

"We don't really look at how many minutes (he plays), like, 'Oh, we have to keep him to this number (of minutes) for the long haul," Hornacek said. "We just look at it as, 'Does he have the energy out there? Are the other guys doing well? Can we go to a small lineup a little bit?' So I think he's doing great."