All the pieces fit perfectly together for Joakim Noah, his longtime worshiping of Phil Jackson, his years wearing the jerseys of Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson as a New York City schoolboy, a chance to rejoin his “brother” Derrick Rose and fill the vacant Knicks center position.
Noah, the 7-foot former Bulls center, was in his glory at Friday’s introductory press conference, professing his love to the Big Apple after signing a $72 million contract and listing 72 million reasons why this coming-home scenario makes sense.
“I’m not taking this opportunity for granted,’’ said Noah, the long-haired 31-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year.