The Knicks didn’t miss a beat on Saturday. Nerlens Noel played 33 minutes as the new starting center as Mitchell Robinson sat on the sidelines in a white shirt and white cast.
Noel has quietly served as Robinson’s serviceable backup, scoring two blocks per game in the NBA on Sunday took fifth place. Now the focus is on the free agent, which the Knicks signed for a year with $ 5 million in November.
Robinson, who started the last 27 games, is out for at least six weeks with a broken right hand, who may need surgery.
« You know I’m ready, » Noel said after his first Knicks start resulted in 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a Rockets 121-99 router. « Once that job is done, I’m ready to go. Mitchell is a huge piece on this team, anything he brings to the table. I hope he makes a speedy recovery. By then I’ll definitely be the defense, the color. » Just make sure I play at a high level for this team. «
Noel, another Knicks guy from Kentucky, failed his draft status as the sixth choice in the 2013 draft – as Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks was selected as 15th.
Noel has spent two decent seasons with Oklahoma City as the defensive center but was unable to land a multi-year deal while on the free agency. He’s only 26 years old.
Noel was the Knicks’ starting center the preseason, but Robinson hit him when the games really started.
When Robinson struck his hand on Julius Randle’s elbow in Washington on Friday, became increasingly fearful that the Knicks would be at a serious disadvantage if they wanted to stay in the playoff race. They are between 13 and 15 years old and compete in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on Sunday. Atlanta is on tap at the Garden on Monday.
Noel had missed five games with periodic knee pain, but sources say it’s not a serious injury.
« I don’t know why I’m not [ready for the extra Minutes], « said Noel. « I felt great [Saturday]. I think it’s obviously most of the minutes of the season, but I feel fresher than ever, so I definitely can’t wait to really get this thing going, to move these games forward and to put my stamp on every game to really complement my teammates and to open things up, not only in the defensive but also in the offensive area rolls and right on the edge the edge reads and makes the right games. I’m very excited about what will come. «
Noel said he felt undervalued. He split from super agent Rich Paul in December and hired Chris Gaston. Noel has a great chance to put himself in a contract he deserves.
« I felt great on the grid, » said Noel. “I felt good pretty quickly. Boys played right [Saturday]. We do that all season long. I’ve made it my business to be the team’s veteran and to face the task. I’ll take a closer look at this for these next steps – whatever begins, I’ll get through this time. I definitely want to play my game. “
When the Knicks signed Noel, they thought he had a real chance at being their starting center because of Robinson’s maturity issues. Robinson showed progress in that department, however. « I loved him, » said Bulls manager Billy Donovan, who coached Noel in Oklahoma City for the last two seasons. “I recruited him when he left high school [Florida]. He’s a great teammate and loves the way he plays the game with great shot blocking skills. He sees the ground well for a tall guy. He was great for us at OKC. He gave us an incredible two years there – all about the team. “
On Saturday, Noel and Randle performed an early pick and roll finish with a Noel finish on the edge. RJ Barrett found Noel for two lanes in the first half – a Robinson staple.
Taj Gibson, an old Tom Thibodeau favorite in Chicago and Minnesota, logged 15 minutes, scored four points and, most importantly, registered up 15 as Noel’s replacement Saturday.
It’s fluid but the Knicks are in no hurry to scour the market for a big man, though they can make room by either hitting striker Ignas Brazdeikis, who is in the G-League plays, or forego point guard Jared Harper, who is actively a two-way deal. Theo Pinson seems sure to be Leon Rose’s favorite.
Gibson spent his first eight games of his second Knicks stint without getting into a game.
« Taj was a beginner, he was a banker », said Thibodeau. “The only thing I know about him is his professionalism and willingness to play. He can sit there and not play, but he’ll be ready to go and that brings a lot of value to the team. «
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