Melo backs struggling Noah: 'It's going to take some time'
The pitchforks are already being sharpened for the New York Knicks' $72-million offseason import.
Once a star center, Joakim Noah hasn't inspired confidence since joining his hometown Knicks. His offensive game is long gone, but even his top-notch defense has been questionable of late.
Responding to critics, Carmelo Anthony preached patience for his struggling teammate.
"I don’t want to say it’s a struggle," Anthony said of Noah's play, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. "I think he is trying to come back and figure it out. It’s hard being out and coming back and trying to fit in. It is going to take some time for him to get back to himself."
Noah closed out the fourth against Oklahoma City on Monday, with hopes he could shore up the paint. Instead, he was flat-out bullied by OKC's hulking frontline, which snagged six offensive rebounds in the final frame to secure the result.
"They were able to get a lot of rebounds, a lot of offensive rebounds," Noah acknowledged. "The difference in the game."
Monday's loss continued a season-long trend of the Knicks' defense being worse with Noah on the court, compared to when he sits. That's a harrowing result, given that Noah was signed with an eye toward patching up New York's struggles on that end of the court.
On the season, Noah is averaging four points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes.