Joakim Noah is likely out for the remainder of the year and this is the best news the New York Knicks could’ve gotten considering where they are at.
You never want to see a player go down with an injury, but Joakim Noah’s absence provides more opportunities for other, less experienced players. It also gives experience in all different situations to those who have potential, unlike Noah.We all know of just how disappointing Joakim Noah has been, but other players now get to step in and fill the void. His injury means that Kristaps Porzingis will be the five man from here on out.
Willy Hernangomez will play no less than 20 minutes per night and Marshall Plumlee may even see some burn. In a season that is now lost, this is a blessing, possibly in a disguise.
Join us in this space of the internet as we travel through and break down those Knickerbockers who’ll benefit from Noah’s unfortunate injury woes.
Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis being the lone big on the floor means that he stays at home for the most part. The 7-foot-3 Latvian has been chasing opponents on the perimeter all season long and on an ailing achilles it isn’t a good combination. Further to this, Porzingis has a propensity for unnecessary fouls. A majority of which come out on the perimeter. Porzingis is by far the Knicks best rim protector at 1.9 per game for his career. In 126 career games, Porzingis has blocked four plus shots 28 times. That’s basically once every five games. In addition to this, Porzingis’ is second in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage at the rim at 43 percent. Elite.
Since suffering an Achilles injury in December, Porzingis has not been the same, especially offensively. Porzingis has broken the 20-point mark 22 times this season but only three times since the injury. He’s also only averaging 14.3 points per game compared to 20.2 points pre-injury. Despite his struggles, playing the five means that Porzingis will have a bigger mismatch that usual, and more frequently. In four games whilst playing the center for the majority Porzingis is back up to scoring 19.4 points per game whilst shooting 46 percent.
Aside from re-finding his scoring touch, it allows Porzingis to work on his passing and decision making. Jeff Hornacek has re-emphasised the triangle offense and as a five KP would catch the ball in the pinch post. He would then have to look to make plays, be it scoring but more importantly to watch and look for teammates moving without the ball. Porzingis has a career average of 1.3 assists per game which is sub-par at best. Now is this opportunity to improve on this.
Willy Hernangomez
Willy Hernangomez has come on in a big way since late January. He has been the shining light of this disappointing season. In his past 18 games, including six starts, the 22-year-old is averaging 9.8 points per game on 45 percent shooting, nine rebounds per game, including 3.2 on the offensive glass, and 2.1 assists per game. Hernangomez has done all of this in just 22 minutes per game which makes it that much more impressive.
As was previously mentioned, Jeff Hornacek has started to run the triangle once more. An integral part of this system is post touches, an area where Hernangomez has shown glimpses of superb skill. The opportunity also arises to work on face up moves. We know what he can do with his back to the basket but he has rarely shown the ability to create off two or three dribbles. Moreover, he has converted 38 percent of his attempts from 10-18 feet; it could do with some work.
The defensive side of the ball is where Hernangomez could benefit the most. He needs to improve on this end. The 22-year-old seems to have lapses in concentration which sees his opponent blow by him or off ball cutters go right past him. Overall the Spaniard has a defensive field goal percentage of 53 percent but a concern is that opponents are shooting 40 percent from distance.
Hernangomez will see plenty of time at the five and he has a chance to be the defensive anchor and work on his communication and awareness, as well as one-on-one play.
Marshall Plumlee
Marshall Plumlee may have only appeared in 10 games and played 68 total minutes, but he has been quietly impressive. He may not blow you away on the stat sheet but he has brought endless energy and lifted the team when they’ve needed an injection of fire. In the two games where has received extended minutes, the former Blue Devil has produced. He has posted 4.5 points per game, six rebounds per game, 2.5 assists and two blocks per game. He produced that in 15 minutes per game and managed to have a plus/minus of +11 in both.
Plumlee is reminiscent of your classic throwback center. He does the dirty work, makes the hustle plays and never stops running. He had a reputation in college for being an elite defender but that means nothing in the NBA. despite this, if provided with 10 minutes per game from here on out that could do wonders for his confidence, motivation heading into next season and ultimately benefit the team.
The 24-year-old doesn’t have much of an offensive game but he needn’t worry as that is not his role. Plumlee has shown a nice touch around the rim and high basketball I.Q. in pick and rolls which bodes well. He has also extended his range in pre-game shootarounds to beyond the free throw line so perhaps there is promise after all, but you would have to wait and see if that confidence translates into games.
Lance Thomas
The absence of Joakim Noah has led to the Knicks playing more small ball which means others outside of his position benefit. The main beneficiary is Lance Thomas who has finally come good and started to produce like he did the previous season. Following the All-Star break Thomas, who has been New York’s starting four-man in six of seven games, is posting 11.6 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and 1.3 steals per game all while shooting 45 percent overall and an astonishing 53 percent from distance.
Prior to becoming healthy Thomas was seeing just 17.6 minutes per night but over the last seven has increased to 32 minutes per game. Noah’s absence has profoundly impacted Thomas’ court time, as has his health. When he is healthy, the 28-year-old is New York’s premier perimeter defender. For the season Thomas’ opponents are shooting a lowly 34 percent overall and 32 percent on threes.
Thomas’ presence on the court has the ability to inspire his teammates to want to defend. They have a front row seat to see how much pride he takes on this end. Not only does he help his teammates but he helps himself. Thomas was heavily disappointed in his performance prior to the break but now he is regaining confidence and becoming that consistent two-way threat that he was pre-injury in 2015.