Charles Barkley believes a healthy Joakim Noah a key to Knicks’ playoff hopes
Former NBA player and commentator Charles Barkley looks on prior to the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels at NRG Stadium on April 4, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Credit: Getty Images / Scott Halleran
If Joakim Noah can stay healthy — and that’s a big if, considering his history — he could very well be the key to making the Knicks a playoff team, Charles Barkley said Tuesday.
“I love Noah’s game,” Barkley said Tuesday at TNT’s “Inside the NBA” media luncheon. “He can make everyone around him better. Great rebounder, great passer and his energy is underrated. Energy is a talent and he does that, but he’s got to stay healthy.”
Barkley unsurprisingly chose the Cleveland Cavaliers for his favorites in the Eastern Conference, but with Derrick Rose and Noah in the mix, basketball just got interesting in New York.
“Even though I love Toronto, I love what Boston is doing, but nobody fears them,” Barkley said. “But if you’ve got Carmelo [Anthony], Noah and Derrick playing at a high level, I don’t think anybody wants to see them.”
“The Knicks’ season is going to be dictated on if those guys can stay healthy. It’s all about Noah and Rose . . . They added two All-Star players. I don’t think any other team added two All-Stars, but there are questions.”
Rose has been plagued by injury since he won the MVP in 2011, while Noah underwent shoulder surgery last season.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
