http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuIr...ov=ap&type=lgns <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Chicago Bulls have signed first-round draft choice Joakim Noah, along with second-round selection Aaron Gray. Noah, selected ninth overall, averaged 12.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a junior last season, when the Florida Gators became the first program to win back-to-back titles in 15 years. A year earlier the 6-foot-11, 232-pound forward was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2006 Final Four. </div>
So much for all the rumors, stating that the reason we had not signed Noah was because he would be packaged in a larger deal. Now that he has officially signed his rookie contract he can't be traded for a period of 30 days I believe. Strange that Curry was not signed as well, I guess the Bulls really want to make him earn his roster spot during training camp/pre-season.
I was able to see the two boys sign their contracts on television last night on CSN. There is a lot of promise, especially for Gray. I think he can turn into a very valuable center for the future of this franchise. Then you add the fact that he's a seven footer, we're sitting pretty if he is able to contribute well enough down the road. I hope for a promising rookie season.
I was really hoping that the reason we were prolonging the signing is because of a bigger deal. I still hate the Noah pick and will continue to hate it until he proves that he was worth being a lottery pick. I love the Gray pick though, and I agree with M21. I think he has the potential to be a great center for us. He's a legit 7-foot and I think he could be the post scorer we need. My only issue is he's not what I'd call quick, so that's the only thing that worries me about him. Otherwise, I loved the pick and despite that, still think he can be a valuable asset to our team.
Glad to see Noah finally sign his contract. I'm just hoping he will be at 100% when training camp starts in a couple of months to fight for a spot during training camp and not have a JJ Redick type rookie season where the injury lingered throughout the first half of the season and he didn't have enough practice time to get back in game shape to get enough playing time in the 2nd half of the season. I can't wait to see him somewhat prove the doubters wrong AGAIN. I say somewhat because there will be guys behind him better than him, but he will also be in the league for quite a few years and won't be out of the league after his rookie contract like most people think.
I'm not going to say he's going to be a total bust, I just don't see him being much more than a more athletic Mark Madsen. He doesn't have much for post moves, he's got one of the worst jump shots ever and the only thing he does well is being a hustle-guy, ala Mark Madsen. The biggest reason I despise him so much is simply because of the fact that we drafted him when we could have had Spencer Hawes, a guy that would have actually filled our post scoring issue. Instead, we took Noah, who, at least in my opinion, won't pan out to be much more than a solid role player. Again, I'm not writing him off completely, I will give him a shot, but I still hated the pick.
I still believe that we should wait until the season starts before anyone gets all pissy about Noah or any other picks. Let's see what they can do at the professional level before any further argument takes place. We can only speculate, but best not to put hopes away so early.
