Thibodeau backs Noah: 'When he's healthy, he's elite'

New York Knicks fans are already starting to lose patience with former All-Star center Joakim Noah but he has a believer in his ex-coach.

Tom Thibodeau, Noah's taskmaster in Chicago who now coaches in Minnesota, rushed to defend the struggling Noah, who's yet to make a strong impression in his new home.

"He's got a very unique skillset. He's got great vision. He's got a great feel for the game," Thibodeau told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. "He'll make passes that a point guard will make.

Related - Melo backs struggling Noah: 'It's going to take some time'

"And then, offensively, you got to get past looking at his shot. Just being honest. He's a great offensive rebounder. He's a great screener. He's a big-time multiple effort guy and he understands defenses and what people are trying to take away.

"Defensively, there's not much he can't do. Great feet. Great pick-and-roll defender. He'll make post touches difficult. He'll make hustle plays that will get your team fired up. But like any player, the health is a big component. When he's healthy, he's elite. And I do believe he'll get there."

All of that was true of Noah as recently as 2014, but injuries have taken their toll and he hasn't quite recovered. Noah holds averages of 4.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 40.8 percent from the field over his last two seasons.