Joakim Noah appreciation day

by tyger1147 on Mar 12, 2008 9:16 PM CDT

[ed. note: From the diaries. I got nothin for a couple days, and there's been a flurry of Noah stories (linked in the comments as well) in that time, so it seems natural. -Matt]

We Love Joakim; why doesn't anyone else?

Anne Stein from MSNBC did an "Six questions with..." thing with Noah. (hat tip: TrueHoop) I'll post most of what Henry did:

A while ago a trainer who has worked with Joakim Noah, Dan Barto, compared Noah's personality to Muhammad Ali's. A lot of people thought that was outlandish, in the comments, but having met Noah (but not, alas, Ali) and talked to him, I am prepared to believe there are some kernels of truth there.

Anne Stein of MSNBC recently asked Noah about athletes he admires, and his answer affirmed the notion that he's thinking about the big picture.

My favorite athlete has to be Muhammad Ali, of course. I think he's an inspiration. Currently, there's a soccer player for Chelsea, Didier Drogba, from the Ivory Coast. Both of those guys are great athletes and at the top of their sports, but what they did away from the field or ring was the most interesting or inspiring to me. They are people whose messages will never be forgotten even when they leave us.

With Drogba, there was a big civil war in the Ivory Coast, and the national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in the country's history, in the last World Cup. They competed and when Drogba won the MVP award, he brought it home to a region of the country that was at war with his region of the country. And that's where the trophy stays now. Basically soccer helped stop the civil war over there. Thousands were slaughtered and everything he does for his country is unbelievable -- he stays true to his roots and gives back to his country.

The first two questions he related to Florida, because, well, after those two seasons, wouldn't you want to forget this year as well? Anyway, the other questions are interesting, too. Now, if only you had Tyrus Thomas's body and Noah's head and... erg... heart. (God, I hate cliches.) Hopefully, Noah will rub off on Thomas and Deng we'll have champions to cheer on for years. Yay! Everyone's happy.

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Comments

Oh man

How I love this guy.

I can't believe he says his favorite book is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. That's my all time favorite too.

Joakim is the perfect kinda guy to build your team around. I truly hope they never ever trade him.

He'll be my favorite Bull for his whole career in Chicago

by Option27 on Mar 12, 2008 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder if he's hated more than Nocioni

Joakim is not going to tone down his personality(a lot of confidence, broad statements, hard play, etc) because that's what made him so successful at Florida. Considering this team is so nonchalant sometimes on the court, it's good to have a guy like Joakim who isn't afraid to say something that might get the team going in a better direction.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Mar 12, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply actions

"Noah's focus fierce"

KC has a piece on Joakim this morning too. It's good to read that Joakim has picked up his focus and has cut down on his tardiness. I hope he works hard in the offseason to bulk up and begins to develop a post move or two.

by paxson43 on Mar 13, 2008 6:49 AM CDT reply actions

Thabo's status (from KC's article)

"Thabo Sefolosha, limping noticeably in the postgame locker room Tuesday, skipped practice Wednesday. Boylan called the guard's sore groin "a concern." "

Potentially giant uh oh.

by YaoPau on Mar 13, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions

if he's out for Friday's game

he'll have 6 days of rest before Monday.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 13, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I was thrilled when we drafted Noah

I think he's smart, talented, and someone who will do everything to make himself better.

by KT on Mar 13, 2008 8:02 AM CDT reply actions

So frustrating

To read other message boards and read fans from other teams whine about how annoying, arrogant and unskilled he is. You can tell these people have never seen him in a game and only know his "outburst" and that silly suit he wore to the draft (which was kinda great IMO). They'd love to have a guy like Noah on their team.

by Old Skool Sloan on Mar 13, 2008 8:22 AM CDT reply actions

People like that.....

don't like him because they know he gives 100% all the time and they can't even give it their all to get off the couch most of the time.

Noah might be not as skilled as Horford, but he is just as or more enegetic on the floor. Talking to Donnie Jones, former Florida Assistant and now Marshall Univ. Head Coach, he stated the main reason they recruited Noah was his heart and energy!

Speaking of Tyrus, but imagine Eddy Curry if he even had a 1/2 of Noah's heart and love for the game.

by BullsAttitude on Mar 13, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Eddy

He does have half of Noah's heart.

...literally.

by lilzaky on Mar 13, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Brutal...

I hope you someday understand how flippant that last comment was. Just wrong on so many levels.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 13, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

And in addition...

I think the "all heart-no talent" thing is bull (no pun intended). Positioning for rebounds is a skill, so is passing (I love his passing ability on the break). People equate offense with skill. I put this on boards and people rip me a new one for it, but you're right, they don't know what to make of someone who gives his all each game.

by Old Skool Sloan on Mar 13, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

This shouldn't surprise anyone, but

David Thorpe loves him.

From his latest Rookie Watch.

I've praised many of Joakim Noah's talents in this space, but watching him grab 20 rebounds the other night illuminated yet another skill -- he's really good at the "self-tip." Players are taught to tip the ball away from an opponent if it can't be grabbed, and some players specialize in tipping it toward the backcourt (think Ben Wallace and Fabricio Oberto). Noah is great at lightly tipping the ball away from an opponent but still close to himself. Done well, it is an art form.

by upther on Mar 13, 2008 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

That was one of Rodman's special talents

Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 13, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions

A good comparison...

I'd be happy if his career mirrored the Worm's... On the court only of course.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 13, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn't it be nice to know

if active NBA players study film of Rodman?

Rodman was a damn genius at rebounding. He was nearly as unique as Bill Russell at using the tip to himself to grab boards. I learned so much from watching Rodman.

When I play now I use the tip rebound all the time, but it doesn't work unless you recognize the other players around you that will have an equal opportunity for the ball and what type of move is necessary to deny them the ball and either grab it yourself or tap it to a teammate.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 13, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, totally doesn't surprise me

David has a man crush on all of rooks and sophs with the exception of Gray

by Option27 on Mar 13, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

noah

Im a gator fan too so I have been putting up with other teams hatred of Noah for years. Its really sad that they are so threatened by a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn't hold anything back on the court or off. Hes my favorite gator of all time (football included) and that saying alot since i was raised in gainseville.

by haze on Mar 13, 2008 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

I remember

last year some of the people in here who didn't want Noah and called him an "assclown", etc. They should appologize. Noah is a great addition to this team and his hating losing will take him a long way in the NBA.

by sue369 on Mar 13, 2008 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

I was probably one of them

he's less of an assclown than advertised, but maybe that's because he has less of an opportunity to now that he's no longer the 'star'.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 13, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I was one of them

I kept insisting on getting Yi (Whom I still love) and thought the idea of grabbing another tall defensive minded player was a mistake.

I could never have been more wrong. Noah isn't just a tall defensive minded player. He's a born leader. He rubs off on his teammates. He plays with everything he's got. And best of all, he can't stand losing.

Like I've said many times before, Joakim is my favorite player in the league now.

Crazy how things change

by Option27 on Mar 13, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

he can also run and pass

and that's pretty darned neat. Who would have thought that we took making layups for granted as well?

Fire Boylan!

by hscs on Mar 13, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

ditto

Yi was my top choice to draft. I really thought Noah was a punk at Florida. I was wrong. He has some punkish qualities, but they're not core traits. They're really age related.

I can see why Gators would love Noah. He understands pride and how that compels fans to cheer and inspire players to perform.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 13, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I didn't want Noah

because his skill set was such an overlap with Ben Wallace, but that was before I knew that Wallace retired.

Baby Bulls II?

by bullshooter on Mar 13, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

OT : Article on Bulls upcoming changes on SI.com

Interesting read

by Option27 on Mar 13, 2008 10:38 AM CDT reply actions

I strongly disagree w/ that comment.

Just another Aldridge-is-better-than-Thomas-and-Deng-and-Gordon-shouldn't-have-turned-down-the-contract-offers artcile.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Mar 13, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Glad to see the Noah love

I was pretty early on the bus myself and I've been really happy with his rookie year performance overall. Its a shame the rest of the team hasn't fared as well.

Noah is a hussle machine, and Matt Duhon is our best guard.

by preverbal on Mar 13, 2008 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

He is the steal of the 2007 draft and our

future, even present leader.

by chgobr on Mar 13, 2008 12:26 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know if he's a steal

If it's the 9th pick, aren't you supposed to get someone good?

I'd say steal would be Landry

by Option27 on Mar 13, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

What about Garnett?

This was years ago before the fan base was so jaded and he was a high school phenom, but can anyone remember if Garnett ever got this much grief for caring too much? He's so passionate night in and night out, were there ever articles saying he needed to chill and quit acting like a "spaz"? I'd guess not, cause of the above reasons and cause there weren't as many (any) blogs around to allow everyone to pipe up. Of course I'm for blogs, but this might be one downside of allowing every personal grievance/opinion to be aired.

by Old Skool Sloan on Mar 13, 2008 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Just yesterday I read a Garnett piece

quoting him on his work ethic. He says he's a country boy just like Jordan describes himself. Garnett works hard everywhere because his mother worked hard for him, his grandmother worked hard for his mom, and on and on.

Garnett and Jordan place high value on legacy. Noah appears to do the same.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Mar 13, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Noah is good...

But Garnett is great.

I realize you aren't saying Noah and Garnett are on the same level, but as such they should be judged differently.

It's one thing for Garnett to challenge his teamates to do more, or go batshit crazy after a tough loss, but he has the ability to grab 20 rebounds and put up 25 points on a nightly basis. He puts more pressure on himself and the players around him because he is capable of so much that when he falls short it drives him crazy... I do love that Noah hates to lose though.

by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 13, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Why in God's name does Red Kerr

keep saying that Noah isn't "athletic"?

Apparently, per Kerr, Tyrus is athletic but undisciplined, while Noah is unathletic but is blessed with good anticipation of where rebounds will fall.

I think Noah is fairly athletic for a seven footer.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Mar 13, 2008 5:30 PM CDT reply actions

Red

needs to retire.

by sue369 on Mar 13, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't mind Kerr

He's only awake half the time to chew on his candy or drool over Gray's hook shot.

by RogersPark Kris on Mar 13, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

lineup:

thabo, gordon, deng, noah, thomas. gooden and noce off the bench. hughes and hinrich suck. so does duhon. and gray. hughes, hinrich and gray should only see minimal playing time, like when a player is in foul trouble or someone is injured or extremely tired. gordon is the best player on the team by far. without him, the bulls wouldnt have won 20 games this year.if the bulls can get lowry from memphis this summer, i dont see any reason why they cant compete in the east next season.

by hughes sucks on Mar 13, 2008 6:18 PM CDT reply actions