Veteran center Joakim Noah opened up about his struggles with the Knicks on The Ringer's "The Chris Vernon Show" on Thursday.

Noah, who recently signed a one-year, veteran's minimum deal with the Grizzlies after being released by the New York organization, said he was "too lit" to play in his hometown. 

"I don't think it was one thing," Noah said. "I think it was a lot of things. I'm not here to blame anybody or it's anybody's fault. It just didn't work out. I could look back on it and say I thought I was ready for New York City, and I wasn't. And it's something that I've got to live with."

For Noah, it was more than just the pressure of playing in the Big Apple, it was also all the off-court stuff that came with it.

"Not just the pressure. I remember after the first game, I probably had, like, 60 people in my house. I'm too lit. I'm too lit to play in New York City," Noah added. "I'm too lit to play in New York City. Memphis is perfect for me."

Noah had signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Knicks in 2016. However, he only saw action in seven games last season, averaging 1.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.7 minutes.

The two-time NBA All-Star was also suspended 20 games after violating the NBA’s drug policy in March 2017.

"It happened so fast," Noah said of his time in New York. "From one year I'm playing 30-35 minutes a game (with the Bulls), and then injuries just started piling up, and I got this crazy deal with the Knicks, and then the next thing you know, I'm not playing anymore and I get kicked off the team. It was just a crazy time. So I wasn't sure I was going to get an opportunity to play again."

Noah spent nine seasons with the Bulls, who selected him as the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, before playing with the Knicks. 

Now, in five games with Memphis, he has averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 16 minutes.

The 16-11 Grizzlies have won three of their last five games and host the 11-16 Heat on Friday.