Man Noah looks terrible in green Updates will come when they're here. No real information on the website, I just got a text from the Celtics saying they're working out today.EDIT: WALTHAM - Joakim Noah and Brandan Wright were both in Waltham Monday morning for another round of draft workouts, but they didn't actually take the court against each other. Wright told reporters that it was his decision to work out alone, saying that he'd rather have the team's staff focus on what he can do on the floor. "I've been working out by myself throughout this whole process, and I'm in pretty good shape, so it's not a big thing. It has advantages and disadvantages, but I think I do a good job by myself," Wright said. "I think there's more focus on you and the coaching staff can actually see what you can do and not compare you to anybody." Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge isn't too worried about it, as he stressed that the workouts are more designed for his coaching staff to get to see the players in person and also to get a chance to talk to them about life on and off the court. But as far as evaluating basketball abilities, Ainge reiterated that the workouts aren't incredibly valuable for him. "It's tough to determine how workouts go when you don't play against people," Ainge said of today's session. "I'm not going to comment on that, that's Brandan's decision and his agent's. That's their strategy. It's worked before and it hasn't worked, so we'll see." Noah, who is coming off back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida, went up against Michigan product Courtney Sims during Monday's workout and afterward told reporter "I feel you" when a it was suggested that it was strange to want to work out without competition. Noah also mentioned that after having seen Yi Jianlian workout in one-man drills recently, he looked like the "#1 pick in the draft." "In terms of shooting the ball, having someone pass him the ball, rip through and dunk, [he was] very impressive. There's no contest," Noah said. "But I don't know how he's going to react when someone trash talks him on the court...or when someone throws an elbow at him or something like that. I can't judge that, but from what I saw, the way he handles the drills, he's pretty impressive." The most comfortable interview subject to date since workouts started in Waltham, Noah was very direct and engaging with the media, and he stuck around to talk about the New England prep school basketball teams he competed against back in the day. He also offered that he "had a blast in college at Florida" and joked that he would share some college stories after the cameras were shut off. Noah also noted that he had a big mouth that occasionally got him into trouble, but seemed at peace with giving the media a piece of his mind, which is pretty rare for a collegiate player.
A small press release is out: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Joakim Noah and Brandan Wright were both in Waltham Monday morning for another round of draft workouts, but they didn't actually take the court against each other. Wright told reporters that it was his decision to work out alone, saying that he'd rather have the team's staff focus on what he can do on the floor. "I've been working out by myself throughout this whole process, and I'm in pretty good shape, so it's not a big thing. It has advantages and disadvantages, but I think I do a good job by myself," Wright said. "I think there's more focus on you and the coaching staff can actually see what you can do and not compare you to anybody." Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge isn't too worried about it, as he stressed that the workouts are more designed for his coaching staff to get to see the players in person and also to get a chance to talk to them about life on and off the court. But as far as evaluating basketball abilities, Ainge reiterated that the workouts aren't incredibly valuable for him. "It's tough to determine how workouts go when you don't play against people," Ainge said of today's session. "I'm not going to comment on that, that's Brandan's decision and his agent's. That's their strategy. It's worked before and it hasn't worked, so we'll see." Noah, who is coming off back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida, went up against Michigan product Courtney Sims during Monday's workout and afterward told reporter "I feel you" when a it was suggested that it was strange to want to work out without competition. Noah also mentioned that after having seen Yi Jianlian workout in one-man drills recently, he looked like the "#1 pick in the draft." "In terms of shooting the ball, having someone pass him the ball, rip through and dunk, [he was] very impressive. There's no contest," Noah said. "But I don't know how he's going to react when someone trash talks him on the court...or when someone throws an elbow at him or something like that. I can't judge that, but from what I saw, the way he handles the drills, he's pretty impressive." The most comfortable interview subject to date since workouts started in Waltham, Noah was very direct and engaging with the media, and he stuck around to talk about the New England prep school basketball teams he competed against back in the day. He also offered that he "had a blast in college at Florida" and joked that he would share some college stories after the cameras were shut off. Noah also noted that he had a big mouth that occasionally got him into trouble, but seemed at peace with giving the media a piece of his mind, which is pretty rare for a collegiate player.</div> I personally don't like when players refuse to work out against other competition. I think that they should have a rule for that, stating that you have to. Chair drills and open 12 foot jumpers can only tell you so much.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 11 2007, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>A small press release is out:I personally don't like when players refuse to work out against other competition. I think that they should have a rule for that, stating that you have to. Chair drills and open 12 foot jumpers can only tell you so much.</div>Yeah but look at how Thorton's stock was hurt because he had to go up against Corey Brewer. He couldn't get a shot off because of Brewer's shut down defense. Most players that come to Boston won't have to face Brewer in their drills and it will be an unfair advantage.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Jun 11 2007, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah but look at how Thorton's stock was hurt because he had to go up against Corey Brewer. He couldn't get a shot off because of Brewer's shut down defense. Most players that come to Boston won't have to face Brewer in their drills and it will be an unfair advantage.</div> Oh please, Thornton's stock didn't go down because of that workout. Besides, from what I have read/heard, Thornton didn't have a bad workout as it is. But I understand where you are coming from, but look at it this way: These organizations spend a ton of time/money to go watch you play, scout you, and bring you in for workouts. Don't they owe it to them to see how they match up with the players in their draft pool? If these players refuse to work out against others, that raises some questions on whether or not they feel comfortable competing against players of their caliber. Maybe they are too worried because they know they won't be able to look great against others. It's only fair to the GM's/coaches investing all that time and money to be able to see these kids go head-to-head with other potential picks. Gerald Green was in the 3-6 range on every single mock draft in 2005, but he didn't work out against others. Therefore, he slipped all the way down to 18 and people's opinions of him were shifted.
it's a risk and some agents really think it's for the best not to go 1 on 1 vs other draft potentials.some players will only do it for teams they want to go to also.I think it's chickenshit, but I guess when you're looking at making millions it's the smart thing to do if you got deficiencies to hide
Well, since CB32 closed my other topic, I'll put it here. It gives a little information on Noah's injury, and unless I missed it, it hasn't been mentioned in this topic yet.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Palm Beach Post/TSN/Icon SMIJoakim Noah averaged 10.8 points and 9.1 rebounds in the final 12 games after tearing his rotator cuff against South Carolina. After watching Noah's hour-long workout, there was no reason to think he was hurting. But he was. "Right now I'm at 75 percent," Noah said. "I was playing at 75 percent during the season. I don't feel like I'm getting the proper height on my hook shot, and it did bother me a bit but I don't have any regrets."</div>Link
