Joakim Noah and the New York Knicks have had a rough go of things from almost the word go this season. He signed a huge four-year contract with the Knicks that effectively blew open the free agency market during this past summer.

Observers questioned his fit on a team that would need to make the most of shooting talent and because of his decline with the Chicago Bulls during the season prior. The big man’s struggles continued in the Big Apple and his team has followed after him.

Recently, he was suspended for 20 games as a result of a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug policy. This suspension shut the door on a miserable season for him and his new team as they look toward the lottery as an organisation.

Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press managed to sit down for an interview with the outspoken center and the former All-Star was unusually candid with the media about how he got into this mess in the first place.

Noah said: “This was a tough moment, but I’m going to learn from it. I tried to take a supplement to help me with everything I’ve gone through. I’ve gone through a lot of injuries, and I tried to take something to help me and it backfired.

“I wanted to do something to help myself, help my body and like I said it backfired on me. I tried to take the right measures when I was taking the supplements and it wasn’t enough.”

Strong words from a player who was an All-Star selection a few years ago and finished in the top five of MVP voting during the 2014 season. Kevin Durant would go on to win the award, but it was still a great showing from a big man keeping the Bulls afloat.

Minutes and games played have started to take a toll on the Florida product as he became relatively unplayable during his last Chicago postseason. Even the defensive ability that made him so valuable was sapped away by untimely injuries.

He is now back with the team, after a lengthy injury absence, to serve his suspension and be with the Knicks as they finish out the string under Jeff Hornacek. If there is one thing that this club was over the course of the season, it was entertaining, if for the the wrong reasons.

Hopefully, next year will bring wins with all of those headlines.