NY Knick new rebounding machine
The New York Knicks have new rebounding machine set up and interesting has always been the biggest thing for me, Noah said at the press conference last season. “Since I was a young kid, I was always able to rebound. I got a good eye for what angle it’s coming off and just going after it. That’s my skill that got me in the NBA. That’s what I get myself going with.”
And that’s what the Knicks lack. With 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely, the Knicks may have to start Mario Hezonja, a modest board man, at power forward.
As the Knicks expect to use the stretch-provision waiver on center Joakim Noah sometime after the Sept. 1 marker to save 2019 cap space, team brass felt they needed another rebounder. They took a flier on Vonleh, selected ninth in 2014 by Charlotte as the youngest player drafted that year. At the combine, the measurement of his hands set a draft-combine record.
“I think I can definitely bring a lot,’’ Vonleh said. “They lost guys like Kyle O’Quinn, and Porzingis is hurt right now. Enes Kanter is a great rebounder, but I think I can help with that and bring energy.’’
By his résumé, Vonleh, who turns just 23 on Friday, becomes the perfect Knick with all their other lottery-pick underachievers. It should be noted that rookie phenom Kevin Knox was also a ninth pick.
“I took a look at the roster,’’ said Vonleh, who trained in New York last summer. “A lot of former lottery picks — Trey Burke, Mario, Emmanuel [Mudiay], myself. I talked to [GM] Scott Perry and coach [David] Fizdale. We got a lot of guys who were lottery picks and for a reason. So coming into the season, a lot of guys have a chip on their shoulder. A lot of guys are hungry. … And it could be a great year when you have a lot of guys hungry. Good things can happen.’’
Noah Vonleh slams one home during a game against the Knicks last season.Charles Wenzelberg
Few expect many wins this season for the rebuilding Knicks. Vonleh, who signed a one-year minimum deal for his years of service ($1.6M), may have one last shot at showing lottery potential. It’s been quite the arc for Noah.
The Indiana University product averaged 4.9 points and 5.8 rebounds last season with Portland and Chicago, averaging 16 minutes. His per-36-minute rebound average, though, was 12.8. In an era where NBA coaches want their big men to hoist 3-pointers, Vonleh is a marginal offensive player.
One NBA scout said his “basketball IQ is not high enough and he lacks instincts.’’ Another league scout told The Post he’s worth the gamble despite offensive limitations.
“You look at the guy, he’s physically legit, cut-up,’’ the scout said. “He hasn’t been able to prove consistent, but he’s intriguing, big and strong. When he’s playing well, he’s very active on the glass. The knock on him is [he] just doesn’t have a good feel for his offensive skills. He likes to shoot the ball and is not a good shooter.’’
Vonleh disputes any notion of not being a cerebral player.
“I don’t know really what those guys are talking about,’’ Vonleh said. “Here in New York, a lot of people will see I’m a pretty smart basketball player. I don’t think that’s a problem. People will say things. Nothing I can do but come in here and change that.’’
According to a source, the Cavaliers finished runner-up for Vonleh. San Antonio and Milwaukee also made bids. Vonleh was traded midseason by Portland to Chicago, which didn’t make an offer, despite him averaging 9.9 points and 10 rebounds in a seven-game stretch soon after the deadline deal. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he “inhales rebounds.’’
Vonleh expected a larger second contract. His deal isn’t even fully guaranteed.
“Free agency was pretty tough this year,’’ he said. “I didn’t get anything. There were a lot of teams with interest. But I love the game of basketball. I’m happy to have another year in the league. I’m going to play this year out and see how things go and try to be in the league for many years to come.”
In explaining his slow rise, Vonleh said his rookie year he barely played [25 games] because Charlotte was all-in on another playoff berth.
He had moments in Portland. Against the Knicks last season at the Garden in November, he posted a near double-double —eight points, 12 rebounds in a Blazers’ win. But he started falling out of the rotation and got shipped as Portland was eyeing the luxury-tax threshold.
“I saw this as a great opportunity for me,’’ Vonleh said. “With coach Fizdale getting the job there, there’s a bunch of young guys who are hungry. I heard great things about him from places he’s been. I’ve talked to him what I can do as player and bring to the team.
Now he’s looking ahead to the upcoming season as a Knick.
“People are going to look down on us,’’ he said. “Kristaps is down. A lot are predicting us to win 28 to 30 games, but we’re not paying attention.’’
