<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>One would assume Tyrus Thomas would emerge, though I'm looking for rookie Joakim Noah in that spot, even though he might make Tyson Chandler's jump shot look good. Though he's a rookie, Noah is older than Thomas and has played in more big games, having won two NCAA titles at Florida. He has had problems with his shoulder, but he's a relentless competitor and has been a willing learner thus far, unlike Thomas. Noah fits the Bulls' profile of a hard worker who will practice more than he's asked to. Thomas remains the exception. Not surprisingly, he disappointed the Bulls this summer by not working out here. But I still wouldn't quarrel with picking him. At some point, you have to take a chance on talent, potentially great talent. It often comes with risks, but if it hits it can make a difference for a franchise. Thomas has the kind of athletic talent no one else on the Bulls has. He can do things none of the others even dream about. But players with that kind of talent often take shortcuts, and Thomas does. Players such as Deng, Gordon and Hinrich have to work for everything to be where they are, and they do. Players like Thomas can get there without working hard or even paying much attention. Often he doesn't. But you gasp at some of the things he does. Noah can't afford to take a minute off, so he doesn't. Yes, you might wince watching him and Ben Wallace playing inside. Combined, they might not shoot 50 percent on free throws or score against one another playing one-on-one for an hour. But several coaches have told me they see Noah's hustle and relentless play annoying the heck out of players like Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal and Randolph, who don't like a 6-11 gnat buzzing around them all game and running out on offense at every opportunity. If Thomas played like Noah, it would be game over. No comparison. But he doesn't, and no one knows when or if he can. Though Noah's not an offensive post threat (who is on the Bulls?), he'll score on opportunity plays. You don't need to beat them with your starters alone. If Noah had skipped his last season at Florida, the Bulls would have taken him No. 2 in the 2006 draft. Instead they got Thomas. It was a reasonable gamble, and now they have Noah as well. I look for Noah to make an impact with this team as a rookie. And perhaps help motivate Thomas to use more than his gifts.</div></p> Sam Smith / Chicago Tribune</p>
My good friend and huge Bulls fan was at the Fan Scrimmage sunday and the first thing he said to me when I asked about it was "Deng played like an All-Star and Noah's a beast" He said Noah was all over the boards and played like a pro while Deng had this studder step thing going on that made people flintch and he would slash right through. Also, BG, Kirk, and Tyrus stood out.</p> BTW, this kid is really critical when it comes to the Bulls (b/c he likes them so much) and he was saying the whole team looked really good. I asked who didn't do so well and he said everyone played great. People like Gray and Curry weren't amazing but they weren't bad though. He also commented that Gray looked like he may be able to contribute this year, as a 3rd stringer of course. And Joe Smith is a definetly an upgrade over PJ.</p> So yeah, my friend's not a scout or a professional of course but I trust his opinion greatly. So from a fan's perspective, we're looking real good and the way he was talking about Deng gave me chills.</p>
ooh wow...I can't wait to see a lineup of Kirk-Gordon-Deng-Thomas-Noah. That lineup sounds really fun to watch for me.</p>
The account I heard of the scrimmage, it was Hinrich-Gordon-Deng-Noah-Wallace on one team, Duhon, Thabo, Tyrus, Nocioni, Gray on the other team.</p> Apparently Ben Gordon and Luol Deng didn't miss a shot, and Joakim Noah held Tyrus Thomas scoreless and just plain out dominated. Gray was supposively downright horrible.</p>
Its going to be hard for a Bulls fan to not love Joakim Noah. He seems like he can become an icon for the NBA, a household name/image, even if he never becomes a star, his personality is just so unique and amazing.</p> It looks like Joe Smith is completely out of the running for the starting powerforward spot though. His knees are in horrible shape...I am beginning to think he will have to have knee surgery this year, looks like a wash of a signing. Looks like Skiles is alternating Noah/Thomas as the starting powerforward each day. It'll be interesting to see who gets the starting nod on Tuesday. They might start both of them though (Thomas at SF, Noah at PF) if Gordon doesn't play on Tuesday.</p>
I'd only worry about the way rookies are unfairly treated by NBA officials early on in their careers. Noah is a very energetic player and those types usually get into foul trouble by going hard after loose balls, blocks, or rotating to pick up a charge. If Noah is lining up to take a charge against a superstar player, generally the superstar is going to get the benefit of the whistle, especially on the road. How Noah handles these types of tough calls will be something to keep an eye on.</p> I forgot Noah is actually older than Tyrus Thomas, and I'm not surprised he shut Tyrus down in the scrimmage. He neutralizes Tyrus speed and also his length would force Tyrus to alter his shots. One immediate improvement for the Bulls with Noah in the lineup will be their ability to defend the pick and roll. Noah has no problem defending a guard out on the perimeter and understands the importance of not getting caught in limbo during the switch. He covers a lot of court with his speed and size. He'll have confidence being aggressive on defense and gambling to force turnovers with Ben Wallace right behind him as the defensive anchor.</p> </p>
I can't wait to watch Noah getting into it with the fans at the United Center. The Bulls have the potential to be one of the most exciting teams in the league this year.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Its going to be hard for a Bulls fan to not love Joakim Noah. He seems like he can become an icon for the NBA, a household name/image, even if he never becomes a star, his personality is just so unique and amazing.</p> .</p> </div></p> </p> His personalty is beyond annoying, he never shuts up, and wants a lot of attention.</p>
Yet on the flipside, he is a guy that genuinely cares about the fans and his teammates. He works hard, trying to be the best he can be, is a total team player, and wants nothing more than to bring a championship to Chicago. Hard not to like someone with that attitude.</p> He is a weird guy, but thats in a good way. He's exciting, and a breath of fresh air.</p> Just all the little things he does make you like him, like when he slapped Stephen A. Smith on draft night.</p> Joakim Noah is just a very intelligent person as well. One of the most articulate in the NBA. He seems to definitely be top 1% in terms of intelligence in the NBA. That comes across big time in interviews such as:</p> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6THfTE2vOc&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6THfTE2vOc&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div></p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I'd only worry about the way rookies are unfairly treated by NBA officials early on in their careers. Noah is a very energetic player and those types usually get into foul trouble by going hard after loose balls, blocks, or rotating to pick up a charge. If Noah is lining up to take a charge against a superstar player, generally the superstar is going to get the benefit of the whistle, especially on the road. How Noah handles these types of tough calls will be something to keep an eye on.</p> I forgot Noah is actually older than Tyrus Thomas, and I'm not surprised he shut Tyrus down in the scrimmage. He neutralizes Tyrus speed and also his length would force Tyrus to alter his shots. One immediate improvement for the Bulls with Noah in the lineup will be their ability to defend the pick and roll. Noah has no problem defending a guard out on the perimeter and understands the importance of not getting caught in limbo during the switch. He covers a lot of court with his speed and size. He'll have confidence being aggressive on defense and gambling to force turnovers with Ben Wallace right behind him as the defensive anchor.</p> </div></p> </p> Seems to me this is a truism vs. being the truth. I can name numerous rookies who've come into the league as impact players who never had this issue. Wade being an obvious one, and Duncan being another. Of course there's Hinrich, Deng, Nocioni, and Gordon who rarely got into foul trouble as rookies - and Nocioni is KING of the flop</p> FWIW</p> </p>
From all these early reports I am really looking forward to seeing Noah play. I was a bit skeptical of the pick initially, but we'll see how it pans out during the season.</p>
