The transferral of minutes is complete. Joakim Noah, the starter in name only, got six minutes in this game and then “injured” his “hamstring” (more like Hornacek injured his feelings LMAO). Hernangomez then got thirty-five minutes off the bench, putting up 16-5-5 (I didn’t show the assists because I didn’t want to) and helping the Knicks stay competitive with the Cavaliers, who are still an okay team I guess? With just a few post moves, Hernangomez displayed more scoring acumen than Noah has ever displayed in his life.
When Noah “comes back” from his “injury”, will there be anything left for him other than spot minutes in specific situations? Too often coaches are afraid to bench their big-contract players since it’s like implicitly forcing the GM to admit that he screwed up, but Hornacek has already been moving in this direction so I could definitely see it happening.
RIP in Peace Joakim Noah 1985-2017