<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Draft workouts are like one chapter in a novel. They can be enlightening, discouraging or merely something to advance the plot, but they never tell the whole story. Still, any way you slice it, Friday at the Berto Center will be a big deal for the Bulls, emphasis on big. That's when Florida's 6-foot-11-inch Joakim Noah will work out with and against Washington 7-footer Spencer Hawes in a session featuring two centers who could interest the Bulls with their ninth pick in the June 28 draft. Bulls management has made it clear this off-season that adding a skilled big man who can contribute right away is a priority, whether that's through the draft, a trade or free agency. The Bulls liked Noah enough after his sophomore season last year that they might have used the second overall pick on the eventual two-time NCAA champion. Athletic and active, if occasionally challenged offensively, Noah could be gone by the ninth pick. Hawes has yet to hire an agent and has until June 18 to withdraw from the draft. That he worked out for the Timberwolves on Wednesday and will work out for the Kings next week shows how seriously the skilled yet physically challenged freshman is gauging his decision. "Chicago would be a good fit," Hawes told reporters last week at the predraft camp in Orlando.</div> Source: Chicago Times I'm glad to see the potential lottery picks going head to head against each other. Often times agents won't allow their clients to match up one on one, in fear their client will get shown up and lose stock value. This will be a tough matchup for Hawes defensively. Noah moves like a guard, and should be able to get around Hawes with an explosive quick step.
I'm really starting to feel more and more than we will end up trading this pick, but at the moment I'm really not minding the idea of selecting Noah any more. Ultimately, it's going to be the development of the players on our current roster, and the moves we make in free agency/trade that will decide how far we go next year, not who we take with the ninth pick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGR]http://www.nba.com/media/bulls/noah_070609.jpg[/imgr]If you were Joakim Noah, would you regret not going pro last year? On one hand, he probably would have been no worse than a top-three pick last summer and by now he?d have a season of NBA experience under his belt. On the other hand, he went back to school for his junior year, played another season for one of the game?s best coaches and won a second straight national title. Kind of a win-win, isn?t it? While he won?t likely be a top-three selection in this year?s class, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound Noah will almost certainly be a lottery pick in the June 28 NBA Draft. Should he last until the 9th spot, Bulls GM John Paxson might see him as a nice piece?a long, athletic and ultra-competitive piece, no less?to help out in Chicago?s low post. Even though he won?t bring a ton of scoring to the power forward position, Noah could be one of those guys who will make an impact either way. Bulls.com talked with the former Florida standout after his Berto Center workout with Spencer Hawes on Friday about winning consecutive NCAA championships, working on his offensive game, and how he might fit in with the Bulls. Bulls.com: How did you feel your workout went? Joakim Noah: ?I think I did alright, but I think I could have done better. I?m just really excited about my situation right now. I really enjoyed meeting the staff and I liked the workout. I feel like this is a place where I could definitely get a lot better. I love the tradition here. It?s a team and an organization that definitely understands what it takes to win a championship and I feel like winning championships is what it?s all about. The last two years of my life have been really exciting and I?ve learned so much. I?ve got to experience things that not a lot of people get to experience. I just hope and pray that one day I can be in an organization where winning a championship is all that matters and everyone is on the same page. I think the Chicago Bulls are right there. This is a dream come true to be here today. It?s ironic because growing up in New York, there were really times that I hated the Bulls. But right now, I feel like this would be such a great situation for me and I?m really excited. You can?t control where you get picked, but I enjoy it here and it?s a place where I could definitely get better.?</div> http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/noah_070608.html Noah pretty much said all the right things, what i liked most about his interview is that he sounds like he has his priorities straight. Its all about winning a championship. Thats it...
Honesty counts for big points with me. Good to see he isn't full of crap. The winning mentality is something that may make him a worthy player, or break him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I was talking to an NBA big man's coach and asked about Florida's Joakim Noah, whom the Bulls looked at Friday. "I see him as a mid- to low first-round pick," the coach said. That's not exactly where most of the mock drafts—which Noah generally scorns as uninformed—have the Florida center. The coach likened Noah to Mark Madsen, the Timberwolves reserve. And though Madsen is listed two inches shorter, they did have similar statistics in college with Madsen averaging 10.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in his Stanford career and Noah 12 points and 8.4 rebounds. "Their skill is energy," the coach said. If given the choice between Noah and Hawes, the coach said he'd want Hawes for his NBA potential. He likened Hawes to Clippers center Chris Kamen.</div> <div align="center">Source: Chicago Tribune</div>
Mark Madsen never led his team to two national titles in college, so I will give Noah a little more credit than that. We just got to see what happens. I'm open to drafting Noah. BTW Whats everyones fascination with Chris Kaman?
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Mark Madsen never led his team to two national titles in college, so I will give Noah a little more credit than that. We just got to see what happens. I'm open to drafting Noah. BTW Whats everyones fascination with Chris Kaman?</div> When he's healthy, he's a top 5 C. He's got great footwork and can shoot with either hand.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">When he's healthy, he's a top 5 C. He's got great footwork and can shoot with either hand.</div> I don't watch many Clippers games, but how can a guy who has never averaged over 12 points a game during a regular season be considered a top five center? His stats seem modest to me. (I have heard several people talk highly of him though I just don't see the fascination)
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't watch many Clippers games, but how can a guy who has never averaged over 12 points a game during a regular season be considered a top five center? His stats seem modest to me. (I have heard several people talk highly of him though I just don't see the fascination)</div>When healthy, he's a double double threat every night. As stated earlier, he's got great foot work and can finish with both hands VERY easily. Just because he hasn't done it yet doesn't mean he can't do it.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't watch many Clippers games, but how can a guy who has never averaged over 12 points a game during a regular season be considered a top five center?</div> PPG doesn't mean everything when it comes to offensive skills (What was Wallace's highest average, like 9 PPG?). When he's healthy he's a very valuable asset to have in the post. He can rebound, defend, finish with both hands, has great footwork, and can shoot FT's which is very important for a big man.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">PPG doesn't mean everything when it comes to offensive skills (What was Wallace's highest average, like 9 PPG?). When he's healthy he's a very valuable asset to have in the post. He can rebound, defend, finish with both hands, has great footwork, and can shoot FT's which is very important for a big man.</div> Well Wallace also has four defensive players of the year awards, and several all star appearances to his credit. I admit I have not seen much of him but I will take your word for it. However, top five center? I don't know about that Yao, O'Neal, Stoudemire, Camby, and Wallace are a couple guys I consider to be in that top five category right off the top of my head.
noah didnt lead his team to two straight NCAA championships either Blur, he was not the main guy, even if the media said he was. noah is an energy guy off the bench, you already have that with tyrus thomas, you dont need two. noah reminds me of Sheed in the way that he is completely honest about everything, he doesnt shy away from answering the questions some people are afraid to answer, but that doesnt count for anything, he isnt very good at basketball so why draft him if you want to win now? im sure one day noah could be semi-good, but never starting 5 material, unless he's got a superstar PF next to him. i say you guys see if you can get one of the other two gators, though i doubt they'll still be there for you. IMO hawes is a better option because he has the potential to be a 15PPG big guy, which can be pretty valuable in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">AKIRA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">noah didnt lead his team to two straight NCAA championships either Blur, he was not the main guy, even if the media said he was. </div> Who in your opinion was?
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^ Corey Brewer and Al Horford.</div> Although, both those guys were huge parts of the team, Noah was the emotional leader of that team both on the court and in the locker room. He did the best out of three during the tournament, leading the team in scoring, blocks, and rebounds. Florida wouldn't have won without all three of them, but to say Noah was not the leader of the team would be a statement based on opinion and not facts.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Although, both those guys were huge parts of the team, Noah was the emotional leader of that team both on the court and in the locker room. He did the best out of three during the tournament, leading the team in scoring, blocks, and rebounds. Florida wouldn't have won without all three of them, but to say Noah was not the leader of the team would be a statement based on opinion and not facts.</div> How is it a fact that noah led them emotionally in the locker room? No one knows that besides members of the team
<div class="quote_poster">TheFreshPrince Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How is it a fact that noah led them emotionally in the locker room? No one knows that besides members of the team</div> It is evident by his actions on the court (emotion shown) and testaments from his teammates and coaches.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It is evident by his actions on the court (emotion shown) and testaments from his teammates and coaches.</div> But that evidence is viewed as someone's opinion. I could infer that Al Horford is the leader in the locker room by the way everyone seems to respond to his level of play despite him being very quiet. That to me looks like his team mates respect him a lot because he is their leader. Do you see what i'm saying? So it may be true but it is still based on an opinion not a fact.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Although, both those guys were huge parts of the team, Noah was the emotional leader of that team both on the court and in the locker room. He did the best out of three during the tournament, leading the team in scoring, blocks, and rebounds. Florida wouldn't have won without all three of them, but to say Noah was not the leader of the team would be a statement based on opinion and not facts.</div> If you take Noah off of that roster, then Chris Richard would have been given a lot more playing a lot more time and they probably would have been better off. Like I've said hundreds of times before, he's horrible offensively, lacking any go-to moves or footwork whatsoever in the post, and defensively, he was just valuable last season as a shot-blocker from the weakside who benefited by playing in an up-tempo leaguew with short big men. If you put anyone with any sort of skill or size on him, he's completely taken out of the equation defensively (see: Greg Oden, Glen Davis, etc.). I agree with everything AKIRA said, but although Hawes would be the best possible pick, I don't think he'll be around at #9.
