<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The NBA's deadline for early entry into the draft passed Saturday night, and it's probably not good news for the Bulls. Or Joakim Noah. The list won't be released until later this week, but all indications from Florida are that Noah will stick around for another season with the Gators. What, he couldn't find women, get drunk and watch NASCAR in the NBA? This probably isn't great news for the Bulls because I believe if the Bulls get the No. 1 draft pick in the May 23 lottery, they would take Noah, if available. He's not Tim Duncan, but he's 6 feet 11 inches with skills. He's not Bill Walton, but he dominated an NCAA final like few have. And the more big guys in the draft, the better chance the Bulls will have to get one. They still could fall as far as No. 5 in the lottery, though their odds are second best with the Knicks' pick from the Eddy Curry trade. I can't figure out what's wrong with Noah. The college experience? Baloney! This was Noah's last chance to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, which does mean something. Next year it will be Ohio State's Greg Oden with 7-footer Spencer Hawes, who is going to Washington, second if they come out. The year after that, it's high school junior O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati. Why not put your name in and just see what happens? There are bad places to be in the NBA. There's Portland, for one, with Zach Randolph and Darius Miles. Or Atlanta with a menagerie of kids. Do you want to spend at least the next five years of your professional life there? Usually, the lottery teams are the worst and years away from being a contender. The Bulls are there already. They get a rare top-of-the-lottery spot only because of the Curry deal, which also gives them the option to exchange first-round picks with the Knicks in 2007. Rarely do teams trade high lottery picks. Noah would get a chance to join a team that may be on the verge of a breakthrough in the NBA, based on this series with Miami. What a chance for a kid to walk into a ready-made contender. And to work in one of the world's great cities, Chicago, with a great fan base. And with some personality, as Noah clearly has, the chances for stardom and endorsements would be fantastic. We'll know later this week if Noah is eccentric or just stupid. Kaman's payday The Nuggets are making stars of everyone. Clippers center Chris Kaman is said to be looking at the $60 million deals that Tyson Chandler and Samuel Dalembert got and figuring that his extension should be right there too. "I think he's the white Tim Duncan," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He's got the quickness afoot like Duncan to beat people. He's fundamentally sound, and he works at understanding the game." The tandem of Kaman and Elton Brand has the Clippers thinking beyond just winning their first-round series against Denver. Added Sam Cassell: "He's the key. He's definitely going to be a top-five center in this league someday." Kaman was a hyperactive child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and prescribed Ritalin, which he said he stopped taking at Central Michigan because it affected his appetite and fatigued him. "I was just real wild," Kaman said. "Wherever trouble was, I found it--taking people's bikes and putting them on railroad tracks, climbing on neighbors' roofs and having shingle fights back and forth. Just crazy stuff. The biggest problem [now] is when I'm in the huddles. When I listen to Mike going over the plays, sometimes I find myself wandering a bit. But I just focus in and, usually, I'm OK. I ask a lot of questions."</div> Source
I'm sorry that Noah didn't want to enter the draft so that he could help the Bulls get a better big man. That's no reason to call him stupid. The kid loves college life, it's a once and a lifetime experience, once he leaves he can't go back. The NBA is inevitable for him, he will get picked when he leaves. He's in no hurry to go to the NBA. I guess being #1 doesn't matter to him. I doubt he would have been #1 anyway, probably a top 3-5 pick though. I don't understand this at all, most people complain that everyone jumps to the NBA early and that hurts college basketball, but then once someone decides to stay in college, everyone rips on him? Make up your mind. Being a Gator fan, I am ecstatic that he decided to return, but I know that his stock won't get any higher than it is now and I wouldn't have minded if he left.
I don’t think the Bulls would have took him regardless of if he entered or not. I may be a bit bias, but I still feel Aldridge has more pro potential than Noah, and Paxson is said to be high on Tyrus Thomas too. So those two would be ranked hire than Noah right of the bat. I think he would have ad a nice chance to get drafted by the Blazers though. Which is probably why he stayed in college lol.
It would be interesting where those 3 would go. It's a matter of most NBA potential(LeMarcus Aldridge), best seat filler and most versatile guy(Joakim Noah) or most athletic(Tyrus Thomas). I would probably do Aldridge, Thomas, then Noah(Thomas and Noah very very close, it's a toss up to me) out of all of them, but the tournament is the thing that's so fresh in the minds of the experts and Joakim Noah was the most impressive out of all of them by far. I'm just happy that I will never know, because he's staying nad he will have another great year at UF.
It's like Matt Leinart; people say he's an idiot for losing out on some cash this year instead of coming out and going #1 last year, but he's in a better situation to succeed as a QB with Boldin, Fitz and Edge than he'd have been in S.F. Maybe Noah will find himself in a similarly solid position when he decides to come out.
I think his decision is great. Live up the college life my man. The riches will be there come another year or two
It's definitely going to cost him a few millions, but if he likes college that much then who's going to stop him
Noah had a very mediocre season on the whole and probably wouldn't have even been in any draft conversations at this point had his team not made a run in the tournament. He's got the potential to be an All-American next season on the collegiate level, but I think he's going to border on being an offensive liability in the NBA. A lot of his points in the Gators' tournament run came off of fastbreak and transition points or were over much smaller defenders. In the NBA where the defenders are much more physical, I don't think he has the right skill set or body to play in the post. LaMarcus Aldridge may be a twig himself, but he's a lot more fundamentally sound than Noah on offense. Noah's mechanics are all screwed up. He doesn't have a midrange game to speak of, his footwork is nothing to write home about, and his form is just awful for a player considered a lottery prospect. His size, agility, and most importantly, his intensity have apparently intrigued scouts, but unless he could put all of those attributes together on the offensive end, I don't think there's any way a team would take him top five, especially over players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani, and Tyrus Thomas. Once the Tournament slipped more and more out of our minds and players started team workouts, I think you would have seen his stock take a major hit, so perhaps going back to Florida isn't even that bad of a decision afterall. I saw him live his freshman year and then again his sophomore year, as well as countless times on the tube both seasons, and if there's one thing I'll give the guy credit more than anything else for are the improvements he's made to his game, so with another season down in Gainesville, perhaps he could improve his offensive game to the point where he can convince scouts that he wouldn't be a liability on the next level.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dtpxcore:</div><div class="quote_post">If he had any brains he would leave now but, its too late.</div> Why would you even post this? If you bash him, then at least say something that can contribute to the thread. Not that he has no brains.
Noah is not a poor boy,he is a player who was twice as good at seasons end as he was midseason and this way he hits the NBA with fewer holes in his game,so he's not sitting while filling in some fundamentals. So he learns a few things which help him handle the big $ and not get skinned by an entourage,a sleaze agent etc. He also gets a year before the game becomes a job. Aldridge is built more like a C. Noah has a stange mix of skills,quicks,intensity. Tyrus T is like a young McDyess physical,springy,and uses that well,but not very much bulk for the pros or midrange game. Noah is a real interesting gamble,a guy who does not fit the mold and tet a guy who can bring some special gifts. Aldridge,Morrison,Thomas,Noah...each has something special,and none is the ideal package. Noah will be fine,he may come out ahead waiting a little if it means he's starting sooner as a pro.
I think the decision was great, staying at collge for 4 years is almost always a good decision. Some rookies come to the NBA as a lottery pick, and then latter find it hard to get a fat contract after their rookie one. Look at Josh Howard and Tayshaun Prince. They were 4 year college players, and I'm sure they'll get big contracts later. Plus, college gets you experience and gives a more sound game than jumping to the NBA.
Wel already knew that he wasn't going to declare, I think he loves the College life and he doesn't need the money.
His parents are loaded, he dosen't need the money. Plus staying at college may not make him a #1 pick again, but the seasoning will more then likely help in the long run and make him a better pro.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting norespect:</div><div class="quote_post">His parents are loaded, he dosen't need the money. Plus staying at college may not make him a #1 pick again, but the seasoning will more then likely help in the long run and make him a better pro.</div> Exactly. I don't think that he is even close to reaching his full potential right now. He's got a lot of holes in his game(look at Voodoo's post). 1 more year of college, although might not help financially right away, will definetely help him in the long run when he is seeking his 2nd contract.
