The 2016-17 edition of the New York Knicks will have a decided Chicago Bulls-type flavor to them after they traded for ex-Bulls Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday and signed another former Bulls, center Joakim Noah, in free agency. Noah was born in New York and starred at Poly Prep Country Day in Brooklyn and The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey before his path took him to the University of Florida and then, the NBA. Noah’s father, former tennis pro Yannick Noah, says his son is more than excited to suit up for his hometown squad. George Willis of the New York Post has more:
Yannick Noah was proudly wearing a Knicks cap, but for the moment he was all about tennis as he cheered on fellow Frenchman Lucas Pouille, the 24th seed, to his magnificent upset victory over fourth-seeded Rafael Nadal on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match lasted four drama-filled hours, but it won’t be long before Noah, the former tennis star, is all about basketball and cheering on his son, Joakim, the Knicks’ 6-foot-11 free-agent acquisition from the Bulls.
“It means the world to him,” the elder Noah said of Joakim joining the Knicks. “We used to go to the Garden when he was a kid, watching games, watching Patrick [Ewing] play. To know that he’s going to play in the Garden, we feel so blessed. He’s preparing hard. He has a lot of hope and he can’t wait. And I’ll be there.”
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“He knows the city,” Yannick Noah said. “He was born here. It’s not like he’s coming from the countryside and he’s coming to New York City. He lived here for a long time. Of course, it can be dangerous for an athlete. But he knows and he’s so motivated. It’s a great opportunity for him. He’s going to give all he has for the city.”
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“It’s a great team,” Yannick Noah told The Post. “If they find the chemistry, I think it’s a great team. I think he’s very happy to have his friend [Rose] here and a lot of great players. He feels very privileged and very honored to play for Phil Jackson, too. I used to give him all of Phil’s books. He read all the books.”
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Once the U.S. Open concludes, talk in the Noah home will turn to basketball, the red of the Bulls replaced by the orange and blue of the Knicks. Joakim was a mainstay of the Bulls during his nine years in Chicago where he won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014. But he played just 29 games last season because of shoulder surgery and was hampered by a bad knee the year before. Change can be a good thing.
“You have to take whatever is given to you,” Yannick said. “He was very happy in Chicago. Now it’s changed and he has this opportunity to come to New York. So he’s not taking it for granted, believe me. He can’t wait to play and compete and dominate for the Knicks.”
