Joakim Noah makes his mark in Knicks home opener

NEW YORK, USA – A passionate Joakim Noah made his presence felt on Saturday, October 29 (Sunday Manila time) at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks won their NBA home opener 111-104 over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Knicks were out to erase the memory of their lopsided season-opening loss to the NBA champion Cavaliers in Cleveland on Tuesday – and Noah, the French-American player who grew up just blocks from Madison Square Garden cheering for the Knicks, was just the man to help them do it.

“It’s a long season. Thanks for the support. Let’s get it,” Noah told the crowd before the contest.

He ran the floor with abandon and delivered on defense, finishing with 6 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists before fouling out to a standing ovation with 2:28 remaining and the Knicks up 101-91.

“It was really special to play at home,” said an emotional Noah, son of French tennis great Yannick Noah. “I was just trying to stay in the moment because it is real easy to get caught up in everything that is going on around you.

“This building means so much to me. I was very nervous, but it was the best feeling.”

The crowd chanted for Noah several times.

“Jo’s energy is big,” Knicks first-year coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He set the tone defensively. Marc (Gasol) is a big, tough guy and he’s hard to guard. Jo did a great job of mixing it up, fronting him, getting behind him, making him take tough shots.”

Last season the only player to post at least 10 rebounds and seven assists for New York was forward Carmelo Anthony, who scored 20 points Saturday.

Kristaps Porzingis led five Knicks players in double figures with 21 points. Anthony added 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Courtney Lee bounced back from a scoreless performance against Cleveland with 16 points and Derrick Rose, another marquee off-season acquisition, dazzled with determined drives to the basket, particularly one featuring a cross-over that left the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley floundering.

Spanish center Gasol led Memphis with 20 points and James Ennis added 16. The visitors got as close as 87-85 early in the fourth period but New York responded with a 12-0 scoring run to extend the lead.

“We were getting stops,” Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said. “Right now early on we’ve lost our way a couple of times where we’re a bit too offensive minded and not focused on the defensive end and trying to win games offensively.

“We have to really dig in and get back to understanding who we are first, which is a defensive team.” – Rappler.com