MORE: Patriotism, politics and sports collide
“I wasn’t there to be honest with you,” Noah said via the New York Daily News. “It’s hard for me a little bit. I have a lot of respect for the kids who are out here fighting. But it’s hard for me to understand why we have to go to war, why kids have to kill kids around the world. So I have mixed feelings about being here. I’m very proud of this country. I love America but I just don’t understand kids killing kids around the world.”
Noah did receive permission from the team to skip the dinner. He was the only player who didn’t attend, according to Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, but it’s not something the organization will hold against him.
“That’s his right,” Hornacek said. “He wants to be a part of the team group and do everything the team is doing. He just didn’t feel comfortable. We’re not going to pressure him into doing that.”
The Knicks are preparing for the 2016-17 season at West Point, and the team has held training camp there the past few years. Members of the team met with cadets and heard speeches from military officials.
Noah signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Knicks this past offseason. He missed media day and the first day of practice due to the birth of his daughter, but he did report to training camp Wednesday.
