After the initial bombshell of New York Knicks‘ Joakim Noah’s 20-game suspension, details of the punishment were revealed through the media.
It came out of nowhere late on Friday night, or early Saturday morning depending on how you look at it. Another black eye on the Phil Jackson regime. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported New York Knicks center Joakim Noah was suspended 20 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
We thought the 2016-17 season couldn’t get any more embarrassing and then Woj dropped a weekend bomb on us. Since the initial report, more details have emerged about the former Defensive Player of the Year’s punishment.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Noah tested positive for a testosterone booster called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033.
The NBA has stated that the suspension won’t begin until he’s “eligible and physically able to play.” This contradicts the Vertical’s report that the suspension will start right away.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek told Al Iannazzone of Newsday that he hopes Noah is medically cleared before the current season ends so his suspension can start now.
Hornacek believed noah would return this season from knee surgery. Jeff hopes Noah is cleared so 20-game suspension can start this season.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) March 25, 2017
Joakim Noah or his team haven’t released anything yet, but the NBA Player’s Association released a statement saying they won’t pursue an appeal.
The NBPA says Noah didn’t know taking the substance was a violation.
Via Jeff Zilgitt of USA Today Sports:
Statement from NBPA on Joakim Noah's 20-game suspension for violating league's anti-drug policy: pic.twitter.com/3eA5FKl4I3
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) March 25, 2017
It’s not a surprise that was the case with a brand new CBA on the horizon.
Scott Cacciola of The New York Times reported that the supplement Noah tested positive for is included in the newly negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement that takes effect starting next season.
The supplement that Noah tested positive for is, in fact, included on the banned list in the new CBA set to start next season.
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) March 25, 2017
If only Jo had waited until July 1 (for the new CBA to go into effect), his carelessness might’ve been forgiven. We’ll never know. For now, it seems like the Knicks will be without the $72 million man for the first 20 games of next season.