Dopey sports columnist comes around on Joakim Noah, are the casual Bulls fans next?
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 9, 2009 7:25 PM CST
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PrintAn weird nugget was dropped into the latest blog entry of Mike McGraw (official BaB beat writer, going forward):
Tribune columnist Rick Morrissey showed up at practice carrying an old copy of his sports section and a jar of salsa. Apparently on draft night 2007, he wrote that if Joakim Noah becomes a useful player within three years, he’ll eat his column with salsa.
Well, Noah had 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in Saturday’s win over Charlotte, so Morrissey actually showed up to eat the column. I didn’t see it happen, but the stunt was videotaped and I’m sure the two-year old newsprint was delicious.
Well, no doubt Rick gets another column out of this (his job, I suppose) and perhaps a modest viral video hit. And though I can't find the old column, if he indeed used the word 'useful' when giving an unattainable goal for Noah, that's even more ridiculous than this 'I back up my words!' ploy.
Noah always projected to be useful, what's really changed for him is his apparent dedication to the job, with more focused offseasons leading to his improvements, most improbably the addition of an ugly-yet-effective jump shot (hey, as long as he's completely open...).
And with added bulk and increased conditioning he's looking like a big-minute starting center, supplementing his existing passing and ballhandling skills (a tier above most of the league's bigs) with improved defensive post positioning and rebounding.
Even before then, he had those skills and was a very good offensive rebounder. But his, um, look (who cares), and lifestyle (ditto), and reported issues with getting in shape after his rookie year (ok, that's valid...) led to him being a fixitation of disdain for Bulls fans. The Ron Adams spat (and subsequent extra suspension by the team's resident fossils) didn't help. And I don't mean here, exactly, but if you ever went to the United Center when a Bulls game went awry, it was 'goofy' Joakim Noah that would get booed first and foremost.
And I guess he makes sense as an easy target if you're but a casual fan. But while I won't say us smarty-pants bloggers and readers of said bloggers knew he'd be this good, we knew he'd be useful. And reports are that the Bulls themselves are now convinced he's a cornerstone. And with slow learners like Rick Morrissey getting on board, Bulls fans all over are likely not far behind.
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NBA fans...
are by in large pretty stupid; so hating someone who differenciates themselves can easily be interpreted as an imagined affront to one’s being (if you are an idiot).
I wouldn’t expect that to ever go away, but it just may eventually be tendered by, “he may be an asshole but…”
heh
Guilty, but that’s just a typo :-)
USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 9, 2009 8:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I don't know if it's just a Chicago thing
but it seems to me like, if a guy gets a little bit of bad press, the fans immediately get all over him during games if he makes even the slightest of missteps. It’s as if they make all of their opinions of a player based solely on what they read in print or hear on the radio. It’s pretty annoying.
"That's a spicy meatball-a!" - Vinny Del Negro
Standards
Criticism reminds me of how beer bellied guys would rate “chicks”.
Chicago is a top sports market but not as nasty as NY. There are way too many media outlets in NY so I’d derfer to them as the worst ever.
Noah was a goofball but he was a young goofball who stayed in college to win a championship. That was more commitment than I’ve seen from many a sports writer. I’m happy he’s turning a corner. He’s become an awkward version of what Tyson Chandler was supposed to become.
And better than Chandler I hope!
“He’s become an awkward version of what Tyson Chandler was supposed to become.”
Chandler’s back issues may continue year after year. Hopefully Noah is healthier.
This quote from that column says everything anyone needs to know about Morrissey's basketball knowledge:
The difference between Hughes and the double-headed, inconsistent monster of Noah and Thomas is that Hughes can play a little bit.
by JeffD on Nov 9, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
That's hilarious
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 9:33 AM CST up reply actions
I found the 2007 column
With the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft Thursday night, the Bulls could have taken Washington’s Spencer Hawes, Colorado State’s Jason Smith or Kansas’ Julian Wright, among others. Spencer Hawes, Spencer Hayes, it didn’t matter to me. ABJ. Anybody But Joakim.
Let me start with this: Noah doesn’t have a jump shot. He has a push shot!Fourth-graders heave their shot from their chest, not top-10 draft picks. Now,players who are 7-feet usually don’t shoot much from outside. But they do needto be able to shoot a jump shot from at least 10 feet. No way Noah gets thatshot off in the NBA. No way.
HA!
"I think it’s safe to say Noah and Rose are the future."
No way in Hell would I trade Noah for any of those players.
The only center who I would trade Noah for without hesitation is Dwight Howard. Brook Lopez maybe, everyone else is worse, old and/or has injury issues.
"Then you need a center so if the ball gets stuck between the rim and backboard he can reach up and knock it loose instead of having to spend 15 minutes trying to hit it with a broom stick." – Sam Smith
by Granny Waiters on Nov 9, 2009 8:00 PM CST up reply actions
Lopez is too mechanical
Living near Stanford, I can comfortably say Noah’s energetic awkwardness beats Brook Lopez relative stiffness. ..and Dwight Howard isn’t an option since he went at #1 and #2 was Emeka Okafor. I’d take J. Noah over E. Okafor for sure.
Agreed that even if you kidnapped all the DeVos children,
Orlando would not trade Dwight Howard. However, I stand by my point that Howard is the only center that one can predict with confidence will be better than Noah over the next decade.
"Then you need a center so if the ball gets stuck between the rim and backboard he can reach up and knock it loose instead of having to spend 15 minutes trying to hit it with a broom stick." – Sam Smith
by Granny Waiters on Nov 9, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
although you can certainly make a case for Brook Lopez. He’s not the rebounder Noah is, but he has a more well-rounded offensive game. I’d say they’re about equal defensively, but Noah might have the slight edge.
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
Noah rules!
I actually hoped he would be a Bulls come draft night.
"I think it’s safe to say Noah and Rose are the future."
Tofu
He’s a So-Cali guy … and he’s useful now. That’s why he made the team when most 26 picks are in Bakersfield developing a post move.
Not as useful as Noah his rookie year
by JeffD on Nov 10, 2009 7:22 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I beg to differ
Taj is better physical shape than Noah, and is starting on a team with a winning record.
Playing on a better team doesn't make him a better player.
The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.
by Ozzie Montana on Nov 10, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
he's just begging to differ.
USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 10, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
I thought he was gonna suck when we drafted him. But once he started playing, I saw he was a winner.
His looks are what make people think he sucks or is useless. He looks goofy so people figure he’s garbage.
Noah is gonna be a double double guy for a while. He needs to be playing 36 minutes a game minimum
I thought the booing was justified last year, because he was out of shape
Hey, when a guy is huffing and puffing and has to come out after a few minutes because he didn’t work out during the offseason, he probably should be booed. Now that he’s in shape and producing, he’s quickly going to become a fan favorite.
I defended Joakim at another
SBN site last year when a guy called him a thug. I’m so happy that he “got it” last season. I’m not fan of booing so I hate to see any player booed and I really think Jo took it to heart. He wants to be loved by the fans. He’s got a fan in this girl.
During the preseason in an interview he talked about the rookie hazing that rooks were going through. He talked about his rookie year and really didn’t understand the hazing part. He said one day Ben Wallace was getting a massage and had fallen asleep so he and Aaron thought they would haze BW and poured cold water on him. He said BW was so pissed that he took Aaron’s car and drove it aways from the Berto and then hid the keys. It was funny to hear him tell it.
OK I don't know shit about basketball.
by SoulEater7 on Nov. 5, 2009 9:51 PM CST
Out west we boo Stephen Jackson.
Booing a kid is tough.
I say go for StarBury or Stackjack and the occasional delusional, overpaid shooter lie Larry Hughes. Pargo? He’s peanuts man.
i have no problem with booing your team if they suck
like i had no problem with the fans at soldier field booing all day long
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart
sounds like ben wallace was a hilarious guy
can you imagine a 7 foot aaron gray walking around the surrounding area of the berto center looking for his car after practice haha
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart
where are you people?
I have been a Noah fan
since he man-handled Kevin Love and UCLA in the NCAA’s. He has several things you can’t teach, among them: a nose for the ball, a “star”-quality pedigree and a winner’s heart. Sure, he was a goofy kid when he got to the league, but he is maturing into a quality NBA center. He will be a cornerstone of our defense for the next decade. Spencer Hawes? His pedigree was Steve Hawes. Yes, that Steve Hawes.
didnt kevin love only play one year in college- the year after noah was drafted?
"What is going on up here?"
"I never know, man."
Yep
Kevin Love was the same class of freshmen as Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo.
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 9:47 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, of course
It was Greg Odins Ohio State team that Noah manhandled. The UCLA team that Florida beat the year before was led by Collison, Afflalo & M’bah a Moute (not a chance in hell I spelled that right) etc… It was Memphis that kicked Kevin Love’s ass the following year. Good catch.
you did though
Some places have the M’buh, and someplaces just have it Mbuh. But it’s far easier to call him Luc.
I wasn't a Noah fan until well after he was drafted
Although at the time, I thought it was the right move considering who else was available in the draft. He seemed to be the most “sure thing” in terms of becoming an NBA contributor at the very least. As an aside, the summer after he won his first title (which helped me win my NCAA pool, having UF in the title game), I saw him out one night in NYC. I was pretty drunk and just said, “Noah!! You won me my fantasy pool!” I dunno if he knew what I was talking about, but he gave me a big hug.
"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH
That's an awesome story.
I wish I could say Noah-Kim-Joa gave me a hug.
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
I understood the selection at the time
and guessed he’d eventually be a fan favorite because of his hustle.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 9, 2009 10:25 PM CST reply actions
I figured everyone came around on Joakim after the Bulls-Celtics series?
The guy’s earned all the praise in the world, and from all accounts he’s a well-liked person in the locker room. Plus, he’s a straight-up ladies man.
The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.
He does pretty good interviews and hasn't acted up on the court. How much more personal do you know him?
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
I don't think it matters. Either you like him or not, but Noah is still flat-out producing.
Anything past on-court production is just gravy.
The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.
by Ozzie Montana on Nov 9, 2009 11:10 PM CST up reply actions
I'm messing around
I could care less as a fan what he does or say outside the court. It’s just that when I see his Sideshow Bob hair, malformed teeth, smug face shit-eating grin that I sometimes wonder: “wow, Noah must be pretty annoying to be around when you’re tired.”
Most basketball players look malformed to me. Comes with being super tall. Soccer players are the most proportionally correct of the top sports.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
Noah looks malformed to you?
Have you ever heard of Mike Miller?
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
I was at that game 6 and was a massive Joakim fan at the time
Why do I share this? Even while I’ve already said it before, I think 4 or 5 times?
Because
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
NOAH!!!!!!!!
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
Has anyone ever found out how he came upon such an awkward shot?
I really wish he had better form because if he somehow got a good jumpshot the guy would be fucking incredible. It’s probably way too far along to change it now, right?
"That's a spicy meatball-a!" - Vinny Del Negro
It's hard for tall guys with long arms to have a proper shot
If they shoot properly, then the ball will go way too strong…consistency is the most important part of any form, and it’s hard to do that when you have to hold back to shoot.
by Stacey_Is_King on Nov 9, 2009 11:13 PM CST up reply actions
Dirk figured it out. He had to work on it a long time and it looks really weird for a big guy shooting outside at all...but it is still a good shot.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
if it aint broke
dont fix it…as ugly as it is, and every time he is at the charity stripe one of the commentators is amazed at the rotation, for me as long as he makes it go in the basket, he can shoot granny shot style for all i care! I mean, it isnt as ugly as Mr. Bill Cartwright’s shot is it? Now that was a thing straight out of the horror flicks ive seen. LMAO
Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.
P.S.
You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.
by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 12:57 AM CST up reply actions
I wish he would shoot granny shot style.
Really, everyone should:
Physics! (and Rick Barry) say so.
by penguin1 on Nov 10, 2009 1:18 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow, Noah's arms look HUGE in that picture.
1. Cut a hole in a box
2. Put your Kirk in that box
3. Make some team open that box
by fundamentallysound on Nov 9, 2009 11:42 PM CST reply actions
I want Bosh!
32pts 10reb in a loss to a spurs without duncan or parker.
Random rant but damn he is beasting.
DA CUBS DA BEARS DA BULLS
Bosh would work next to Noah,
since Noah does not demand the ball on offense.
"Then you need a center so if the ball gets stuck between the rim and backboard he can reach up and knock it loose instead of having to spend 15 minutes trying to hit it with a broom stick." – Sam Smith
by Granny Waiters on Nov 10, 2009 2:32 AM CST up reply actions
It's true!!!!!
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
give him 2 max contracts!
Lurking since 2006
by boyonthedock on Nov 10, 2009 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
I think Bosh would work well with Rose too
He can play that two man game the Bulls like to do with Miller and Rose…but even better because Bosh wouldn’t look like a Bull in a china shop when rolling to the hoop. And that’s not a really a shot at Miller — he rocks.
by hitlesswonder on Nov 10, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
The Raptors
- offense
- defense
eek.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 10, 2009 9:03 AM CST up reply actions
mmkay
They’re first in offense and last in defense.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 10, 2009 9:04 AM CST up reply actions
too bad that writer didnt say he would suck his balls like kyle did to cartman lol
Im sorry, just finished watching south park and that was a plot in it, kyle losing a bet and having to suck cartman’s balls, lmao….anyways, alot of ppl were talking negative about noah when he was drafted, but im glad we gave him a shot, and he is panning out nicely so far. I honestly didnt expect this much this soon, but I’ll take it. As far as random rants, wouldnt it be a beautiful thing if the bulls, once in the playoffs, earned some respect from the league, and in July 2010 were able to woo Lebron over to em?? That would be sweet!!!!! But i will settle for wade, even bosh….
Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.
P.S.
You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.
by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 12:50 AM CST reply actions
What is this asshole going to heat if Noah wins the Most Improved Player award like I expect?
If he keeps playing like this, it will be an injustice if he doesn’t get that award
Jannero Pargo = Larry Hughes 2.0
Channing Fried Chicken would like to have a word with you
D ROSE D WADE DESTINY DYNASTY
by Juan dela Cruz on Nov 10, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, Frye might win.
Steve Kerr, a heavily criticized GM, has rebuilt the Suns. If that team goes anywhere, Noah will have a tough time. The wild card is Nash, how much is Nash helping Frye get his points. Noah is cleaning up the offense and doing his work without much help.
Steve Kerr hasn't rebuilt the Suns
He tried to do it his way. Couldn’t sell Nash (whereas he probably wanted to) because of fan support. Now, he conceded.
Dude
No Shaq!
Amare looks amazing again because it his him, the paint, the rim, and defenders that don’t want to come take a charge. He’s going to compete with Howard for league leader in dunks again.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 10, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
Kerr hasn't re-built the Suns
He built them, they had a bad year, and now he’s un-built them and they’re good again.
Frye can hit open 3's.
That said, when you’re playing with Steve Nash …
sometimes being the ‘Center that can hit open 3’s’ is all you need, ya know?
I support the Tornado Release ... and Young Bucks.
I'm telling you, Jay Marriotti is a good columnist
if you just consider his former Chicago competition.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
No, no that doesn't work
You have to remember Jay made things up, and never ever talked to sports figures himself. Plus he wouldn’t ever admit he changed his mind if you could even show him the contradictary columns. John Kass did a great takedown after the White Sox won the world series. That was the year Jay said Kenny Williams would never put together a World series winning team mid way through the year.
by KT on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
i must admit i wanted specer hawes in the draft
but after dealing with noah for a year..and when wallace finally left here… i saw exactly what noah had the potential to be. im real glad that he put the work in to be better than what pretty everyone said he was.
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
I couldn't like Hawes
after I found out his politics.
by KT on Nov 10, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions
what are his politics?
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
He voted for McCain
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Nov 10, 2009 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
He's a conservative
In his draft profile graphic on ESPN during the draft, his hobby was listed as “debating politics”.
ugh who cares about all that crap.
What I care about is Noah is a better pick… and we should give props to Pax for making the correct choice there. Conventional wisdom at the time said we should pick Hawes.
I guess it did
although I had wanted Noah dating back to the previous year so I was too excited that he fell to us to even think about Hawes. But you’re right, at the time the overwhelming school of thought was that we already had two Noahs in Ben Wallace and Tyrus Thomas and that Hawes would provide the offensive game in the post that we were lacking. Good decision by our front office (for once).
"This is not Vietnam, Smokey, there are rules here." - Walter Sobchak
by Rose Colored Goggles on Nov 10, 2009 10:19 AM CST up reply actions
I saved that article from the 2007 draft... "You Must Be Joakim Me"
First and foremost, Rick Morrisey is an ass…And I had a good feeling rick m would be eating his words, literally…
I have been a Noah fan since day one, I am proud to say. I knew right away he would be a solid contributor, if not more, within a few years. I think with some of the recent success of young draftees coming in and contributing immediately has created unrealistic expectations for all the rookies and 2nd years players. For some, it is not such a meteoric rise. For some, it takes time to soak everything in, mature, and build confidence in themselves and their game. Noah walked into a nightmare scenario with the coaching staff and ben wallace. Everyone was judging him before they gave him a chance, everyone was hating on noah, something he said he was used to in college. I think thats a big part of what drives him. People underestimating him because of his look or his jumpshot, and not respecting the things he does very well, very naturally. His speed and ball-handling for a big is almost never seen at this level, and his constant energy gives the bulls life. And now that he has added bulk and a little offensive spice, he is even more fun to watch. That dunk on pierce last spring is one of my all time favorite moments in Bulls history…
I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE
I emailed Rick and told him its time to eat some crow
He said it would be in the column tomorrow along with a video, which I’m assuming will be on the Trib’ssite.
All Star Ballot
Does this mean that the Bulls can develop young talent?
And I heard that Noah is not on the All Star ballot. I know he won’t win, but are there really 10 Eastern centers who are better?
by El Toro de Goro on Nov 10, 2009 5:32 PM CST reply actions
Not only that
But one of those ten is Brad Miller.
Things could be worse. We could have kept Boylan.
by stupidgenius on Nov 11, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
Noah
I was on the Noah band wagon from the beggining. I am very impressed with the added size. One of the knocks on Noah was that his frame would allow him to add this muscle mass. Im starting to get the basketball itch!
ShipTileDirect.com - Why pay expensive retail prices? When you can ShipTileDirect at a fraction of the cost.
so when is the game thread going to be up???
Im getting antsy
Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.
P.S.
You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.
by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 10, 2009 7:02 PM CST reply actions
I have been a Noah fan since..
I played pickup ball with him one afternoon on Maui the summer before he entered Florida. He was a great teammate, shared the ball (even with me tho I was age 60 at the time), had a lot of fun. I could see how coachable he was at Florida. Did Rodman have a jump shot? I love the kid.
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