Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose are both out for the season, and look like glaring Knicks gaffes. Meanwhile, Robin Lopez and Jerian Grant — both traded to Chicago for Rose — have been exactly what the Knicks have missed: a reliable big man and an athletic young reserve. And both were back in the Garden Tuesday.
The deteriorating Noah had a left knee operation in February, and then got hit with a 20-game suspension after testing positive for a testosterone booster. Rose is having season-ending surgery, and could walk away for free this offseason and make the deal a failure. Well, at least for the Knicks. Chicago sounds more than happy with Lopez and Grant.
“Robin’s the best,’’ Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said before the Knicks’ 100-91 victory. “He’s one of the most popular guys in that locker room. He’s always going to go out and do his job, he’s never going to complain about anything. He does so many little things that don’t show up in the boxscore. He sets screens, he rebounds. A lot of times when he gets caught up in a matchup, he’ll box his man out and a guard will come in, get the rebound and get credit for it in the stats sheet, but Robin’s doing all the dirty work.
“[Lopez] is a guy that’s a huge part of our team, that’s going to go out there and play regardless of the situation. … Jerian’s given us some really good minutes this year. We started him for 25 games, and he’s a guy that can space the floor. We’ve gone a little bit different with the rotations, Jerian’s kind of that 10th guy right now, but when he’s gone in he’s given us good minutes. We all like Jerian.”
Grant, who had no points and two assists in seven minutes, entered Tuesday’s game averaging 5.5 points in 58 games. Lopez, who had 11 points and four rebounds in 33 minutes, was averaging 10.2 points, 6.4 boards and a team-high 1.4 blocks. He has been an ironman for Chicago, starting all but one game this season, and is second on the team in Win Shares behind only All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Though the Knicks were happy to ship him out for Rose, Lopez clearly is enjoying the full backing of the Bulls’ staff and front office.
“That makes it easier for you go out there and perform. All you’re worrying about is going out and playing basketball. At that point, basketball is fun,’’ Lopez told The Post. “Your teammates have got your back, the coaching staff has got your back, the front office has got your back. It makes it easy, makes it fun to go play for yourself and go play for them.”
While the Knicks have long since been eliminated, Lopez and Grant faced their former team with their current one fighting for the playoffs, clinging to the seventh seed in the East.
Lopez said that was far more motivation than getting back at the team organization that traded him away.
“People talk about revenge games, but I think if anybody in our locker room doesn’t have reason enough to play for this game with playoffs looming, what’s the point?” asked Lopez, who added, “After it’s over, if we win — when we win — I’m going to go rub it in Kyle O’Quinn’s face. And you can go tell him I said that.”