The bizarre situation between New York Knicks center Joakim Noah and head coach Jeff Hornacek got even wilder this week. It is now being reported that the infamous practice altercation between the two involved Hornacek shoving the player. Noah did not physically retaliate, but one would imagine he would immediately have been viewed as in the wrong if he had.

This is eerily reminiscent of the infamous Latrell Spreewell fight with his coach PJ Carlesimo.

Spreewell allegedly choked his coach and it ruined his reputation throughout the league forever. Noah was smart to restrain himself and not follow a similar route.

How much fault is on Hornacek?

This is not a good look for Hornacek. As the leader of the team he sets the tone and common sense rule number one would be you shouldn't physically assault your teammates. Aside from setting a bad example, Hornacek is taking advantage of a serious double standard.

If Noah put his hands on his coach, he would all but be done in the NBA. The Knicks would be well within their right to part ways with the player and other teams would likely stay away from the potential public outcry that would come with signing him.

Expect a grievance to be filed on Noah's behalf by the player's union. Whether or not the grievance is valid, the union has to take the player's side in what seems to be a one sided disagreement that led to Noah's banishment from the team.

What's next for Noah?

While his time in New York is all but done, Noah isn't retiring. This incident and the subsequent news that Noah would not be playing for New York again all but destroyed his trade value.

No team is going to give up valuable assets for a player who will likely be hitting the free agency market.

He still has another year remaining on his contract so the only question is how New York will choose to waive the player.

They could effectively pay out the remaining salary and have a huge dead cap hit, or stretch the payments over a 5 year period to lessen the blow to their current salary cap by using the stretch provision.

Once Noah is a free agent, it is likely that he will try to find a home quickly before the final push for the playoffs. There are several teams that could use a big man. Toronto and Cleveland could be suitable fits to plug Noah into their rotations and bolster their defense.

However, given Noah's age and his rapid fall in the depth chart in New York may signal that his remaining playing days will be as a situational role player. If it gets him a ring, I don't think Noah will mind too much.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED