{"id":191286,"date":"2021-03-01T08:51:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T05:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nerlens-noels-dynamic-play-is-easing-knicks-depth-issues\/"},"modified":"2021-03-01T08:51:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T05:51:19","slug":"nerlens-noels-dynamic-play-is-easing-knicks-depth-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nerlens-noels-dynamic-play-is-easing-knicks-depth-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"#Nerlens Noel\u2019s dynamic play is easing Knicks\u2019 depth issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Nerlens Noel\u2019s dynamic play is easing Knicks\u2019 depth issues<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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Who needs another center? The Knicks have Nerlens Noel.<\/p>\n

Mitchell Robinson has a broken hand. Backup center Taj Gibson was back in New York with a sprained ankle and could be out awhile.<\/p>\n

Coach Tom Thibodeau faced the Pistons on Sunday with one healthy center. And it was more than enough.<\/p>\n

The Knicks didn\u2019t die when Robinson went down and Noel became the starter. In fact they have thrived, building a 6-2 record.<\/p>\n

Sunday at Detroit\u2019s Little Caesars Arena, Noel was a raging rim protector, notching eight points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals in 39:37 of court time. Noel had played 41 minutes on Saturday against Indiana.<\/p>\n

Just ask Detroit rookie Saddiq Bey if the Knicks need to upgrade the center position after he got humiliated by Noel on a driving stuff attempt that got rejected soundly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t know, you\u2019re going to find out,\u2019\u2019 Noel said about his message for penetrators to the rack. \u201cI\u2019m protecting the rim by any means. It\u2019s a great aspect to my game<\/a> I try to play at a high level. Just do enough to change the game. Just come in and find out.\u2019\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Knicks president Leon Rose doesn\u2019t seem ready to add another center quite yet. Not with Noel playing this well.<\/p>\n

\"Nerlens
Nerlens Noel goes strong to the basket against the Pistons.<\/figcaption>
Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI definitely don\u2019t want anyone hurt on this team,\u2019\u2019 Noel said. \u201cBut I\u2019ve taken that spot and made a focal point to man this team and be the anchor on the defensive end and do the small little things to help us win. I think I\u2019ve been at a high level.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

If Noel\u2019s knees hold up, the Knicks should be OK. The Post has reported team brass is \u201canalyzing\u2019\u2019 whether a move for the available Andre Drummond makes sense.<\/p>\n

Center DeMarcus Cousins, whose stock is low, is still a free agent after being unceremoniously waived by Houston.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a Leon question,\u2019\u2019 Thibodeau said before the game. \u201cWe have more than enough on the roster so we\u2019ll figure out a way. We have guys that can play multiple positions and then we\u2019re going to have to take care of the rebounding, gang rebound. Everyone has to contribute in that area.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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