When an NBA team is rebuilding, various players are given the opportunity to contribute and help the team. Players who have had pedestrian careers can step up and contribute when given the opportunity. If they do well, they may be able to become a part of the team in the future or latch on with another team when they become free agents.
Noah Vonleh has made the most of such an opportunity with the New York Knicks.
Vonleh is in his 6th NBA season and his first with the Knicks. Entering this season, Vonleh had averaged 4.1 pts and 4.7 rebounds per game for his career. Vonleh was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2014 NBA draft. After one season with the Hornets, Vonleh was traded to the Portland Trailblazers where he spent 3 seasons. In 2017, Vonleh was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Vonleh signed with the Knicks as a free agent after last season.
Vonleh played one season in college for the University of Indiana. At Indiana, Vonleh was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also voted to the All Big Ten third team by the press and the coaches of the Big Ten. While in college, Vonleh averaged 11.3 points and 9 rebounds a game.
This has been Vonleh's best season in the NBA. Vonleh is averaging 8.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. These are his career highs in points and rebounds. He averages 27 minutes a game and is shooting 47.2% from the field. Additionally, Vonleh has played solid defense for New York in 2018. In a Christmas Day game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Vonleh drew the difficult assignment of guarding Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even though Antetokounmpo scored 30 points, people noticed Vonleh's good effort on defense. He did his best to contain the talented Antetokounmpo.
Vonleh has been particularly good in December. On December 1st, in a game against Milwaukee, Vonleh scored 15 points and had 5 rebounds. On December 3rd, in a game against the Washington Wizards, Vonleh had 11 points and 8 rebounds. On December 6th, against the Boston Celtics, Vonleh had 12 points and 10 rebounds. On December 9th, against the Charlotte Hornets, Vonleh had 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Against the Hornets, on December 14th, Vonleh had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in what may have been his most complete game of the season.
On December 21st, against the Atlanta Hawks, Vonleh had 11 points and 10 rebounds. On Christmas Day, Vonleh had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Finally, on December 27, in another game against Milwaukee, Vonleh had 15 points and 13 rebounds. The more playing time Vonleh has received, the more he has accomplished on the floor.
Vonleh has diverse skills. He can rebound and bring the basketball across half court and pass the ball to a player on a wing. He can trail a play and finish on the offensive end. He can get proper position for a rebound and bring the ball down low, which prevents an opposing player from stealing the basketball.
Vonleh can hit a spot up open three point shot. He can receive the ball in the paint, move in between two defenders and slam dunk the basketball. He can rebound the basketball and put it in the hoop with one hand. Overall, Vonleh consistently shows good effort. Vonleh brings a lot of energy to the game.
In an interview with MSG Networks, Vonleh said "My decision to sign with the Knicks came in mid August...I'm an East Coast guy.I love New York."
Vonleh said "I factored a bunch of things in. I looked at every team's roster and saw which would be the best opportunity for me and looking at the Knicks, there is a lot of young guys on this team, former lottery picks, the kind of guys that are similar to me. And having coach Fizdale coming in, it was the best situation for me." Vonleh clearly has appreciated the opportunity that he has received in New York. He likes being a part of the New York Knicks and seems happy to have landed in New York.
Vonleh said that he and his teammates "want to bring a winning culture to New York." Vonleh had complimentary things to say about coach David Fizdale. Vonleh talked about how much he wanted to play for coach Fizdale and how much he respected him as a person and as a coach. He said that coach Fizdale "is about all the right things. He wants to come in here and change the culture, bring a winning culture to New York, and that's very exciting." Clearly, Vonleh seemed hopeful when he signed with New York. He was looking forward to playing for coach Fizdale and with his new teammates.
When talking to MSG Networks, coach Fizdale said that Vonleh "has an incredible work ethic...He is a big time athlete and he has a super high I.Q." Fizdale referred to Vonleh as a "real, real pleasant surprise."
During this season, Vonleh has become an important member of the New York Knicks. The Knicks are hoping that he will continue to contribute during this rebuilding season.
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