OPINION: With Joakim Noah Signing, Knicks Earn Shot To Dethrone James’ Stranglehold On Eastern Conference

It is far from official, but according to several reports, the New York Knicks are nearing an agreement with free agent center Joakim Noah with terms in the neighborhood of $72 million on a four-year deal.

And with that, in a week’s span, much-maligned Knicks President Phil Jackson has turned New York from Atlantic Division doormat to legitimate playoff contender.

OPINION: With Noah Signing Knicks Earn Shot To Dethrone King James

While no deal can be made official until the NBA moratorium period closes July 7, reports have been circulating for weeks that Noah was looking to return home.

Now New York is staring at the possibility of a front line that features Noah, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

JOAKIM NOAH CAREER MIX

Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the defending champs, but the only other threat in the Cavs frontcourt is Tristan Thompson. Cleveland’s center is a pro, who seems to shine in the postseason, but his numbers are no better than Noah’s for their respective careers.

I don’t want to hear about Kevin Love.

I respect the defense he played on Steph Curry in Game 7 and he was effective in areas that didn’t show up in the boxscore, but I would take Porzingis over Love any day of the week.

James obviously takes Anthony, but Melo can score with anyone. And Thompson vs. Noah is a wash.

Derrick Rose versus Kyrie Irving?

The book is still out on Rose as far as his health and agility are concerned, but it’s safe to say he will be a productive player with superstar talent around him.

Noah, too, should return to form upon reuniting with Rose. The pair made the playoffs five years in a row in Chicago and in Rose’s MVP season of 2010-2011, Noah put together one of the best campaigns of his career, averaging 11.7 points and 10.4 rebounds.

ROSE SAYS HE WANTS NOAH AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT

Since, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the big fella.

His last two seasons have been marred by injury and poor play, but a return to his place of birth could be just what the doctor ordered.

The near 7-footer was born in New York City, then moved to Paris for an extended period, before returning to the city that never sleeps at the age of 13.

Noah spent a post-graduate year in New Jersey at the Lawrenceville School where he was ranked a 4-star recruit by rivals.com. He played college ball at Florida, where he won two national championships under current Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan, leading the Chicago Bulls to select Noah as the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

From 2009-2011 and 2012-2014, Noah averaged a double-double for the Bulls. In the 2011-2012 season he scored 10.2 points and pulled down 9.8 rebounds per game.

Last season was a forgettable one for Noah. He played in just 29 games dues to injury and ineffectiveness, starting only two contests.

Not so coincidentally, his best performance came on what could be his home floor, in his hometown.

Noah lit up the Garden with 21 points and 10 rebounds in his first start of the season Dec. 19. Six of Noah’s boards came on the offensive glass, making him the Bulls All-Time Leader in offensive rebounds, surpassing Horace Grant.

And nine months earlier Noah recorded his fifth career triple-double with 13 points 14 assists and 12 rebounds against, you guessed it, the New York Knickerbockers.

NOAH RIPS KNICKS FOR 21 POINTS AND 10 REBOUNDS

Noah is not Kevin Durant. He won’t showcase the athleticism of a DeMar DeRozan and he doesn’t have the youth of an Andre Drummond either, but he is a good fit for the Knicks roster as its currently constituted.

His presence alongside Anthony and K-stop will reignite the fire at MSG, the electricity we only see when New York is a winning games.

Lookout Eastern Conference, there’s a new frontcourt in town.

One that may have fans whispering next season: Noah, Porzingis and Melo, Oh my!