Think the Bulls’ emotional and spiritual leader is going to roll over and die in the face of LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers?
Think again.
Said/screamed Noah: “We’re going to the playoffs. All this [expletive] and we’re going to the playoffs. Let’s go shock the world. … Now we’re playing the Cleveland Cavaliers. Everybody thinks we’re going to get our [behinds] whupped. And you know what, we’re going to try and shock the world. That’s what we’re trying to do. That’s pretty cool I think.”
Yeah, Jo. That is pretty cool.
Joakim Noah: “I feel like we’re fighting for our lives. We’re on the court giving everything we got. And we don’t want to talk about something that happened last month. To me, it’s not even something that’s worth talking about. Talk about guys who are playing hurt, doing whatever they can to win a basketball game. Look at what Taj Gibson’s doing. Kirk Hinrich. Brad’s old [behind] has been taking shots to play a basketball for the last two months. Talk about that. To me that’s what it’s all about. My team will sacrifice everything they got in order to make it to this stage.”
How can you not love Noah? The guy is clearly the emotional and spiritual leader. There is not a team in the league that wouldn’t love to have him on the floor for them.
This team has drive and fire. Say what you will, drive and fire start with one place: the coaching. If your team has a lousy coach that the players don’t believe in, they won’t have the fire that Chicago has.
Comment by TexasBullsFan — April 15, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
as a cavs fan, i can tell you that i absolutely love noah. other than lebron, there’s not a cavs player i wouldnt trade for him. and he’s going to keep getting better every year. the bulls should be everybody’s second favorite team. nothing but youth and heart and fearlessness. jesus i wish they were playing boston again.
Comment by hemlock09 — April 15, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
When the Bulls had the no. 2 pick in the 2006 draft, I was all over having Joakim on the Bulls. I lamented his decision to stay in school, sure that he’d get drafted by another team the next year.
The next season I was terrified the Bulls would get Spencer Hawes, who I still think is the second coming of Cherokee Parks. When we got Joakim I was stoked. His draft day seersucker suit still makes me laugh.
It took him a couple of seasons to get serious, but since he’s committed himself to conditioning and getting stronger he’s shaping up to be a tremendous player for the bulls. He’s easily the best young big man I’ve seen play for the bulls.
Comment by George — April 15, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
There are plenty of reasons to criticize the Bulls’ management, but drafting Noah was obviously a brilliant move. He has all of the tools, including the attitude that Matt has highlighted, to be a force for years to come. Hopefully he will stay sound.
Comment by Tony C. — April 15, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
yeah george, i totally agree with you. i was also afraid that we were gonna draft spencer. all my buddies were raggin’ on me about my pro-joakim rants. now they’re all on the bandwagon. he is for sure my favorite player. that suit and bow tie. that hair. and that heart and energy! hope he is here for a long time
Comment by i am the 6th man — April 15, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
When the Bullies drafted Joakim Noah, I thought they were insane. I truly thought drafting Noah was a joke, and that he would fade into Kwame Brown obscurity…and with a puff of smoke. However, Mr. Noah proved me infinitely wrong. The dude has gotten so much better and is so much more serious about ball and his team than I ever thought he would be. Furthermore, just about every other player in the League should be taking notes on his energy, teamwork, and attitude, because every team should have at least one Joakim Noah in order to be successful. Noah showed us that he is something special this year, and I can’t wait to see what he does to the Cavs in the upcoming week. I figure him and Varajo get into at least one skirmish per game.
Comment by Nicky C — April 16, 2010 @ 12:02 am
The Guy is a winner. Winners find ways to win
Comment by Max — April 16, 2010 @ 4:47 am
His steal and breakaway dunk against the Celtics last year nearly tore the roof off of the ESPN Zone in Anaheim. In ANAHEIM. Not many there cared about Chicago, or Florida.
It was simply that fire, that hustle and that swagger.
Any team would love to have that guy.
Comment by 3ThreeIII — April 16, 2010 @ 7:06 am
I’ll admit I was one who didn’t want the Bulls to draft Noah. I thought he was a clown before draft day and after seeing him show up looking like Sideshow Bob I cringed. And a few years later I was WAY off. He’s easily my 2nd favorite Bulls player now.
Noah is one of those players that is easy for a fan to love. His positive attitude and energy makes you smile when you watch him and when he starts banging his chest and screaming you almost want to do it with him. He’s one of those players that, if he’s on your team, you feel like you have a chance against any team because you can count on him to not give up and give 100% every night.
Comment by thirdsaint — April 16, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
I remember that 2006 draft, and I too really wanted Joakim. And I always stuck by him, even when he was a knucklehead. He’s become the player we always wanted Tyson Chandler to become, except a lot more consistent, a lot more heart, not nearly as foul prone, and a better scorer. (Maybe not quite as good a shot-blocker.)
Comment by DAV — April 16, 2010 @ 2:38 pm
Joakim Noah is his dad on a basketball court..At 7 ft he’s so quick with his feet..Noah is truly a rare player..I think its funny everybody is sleeping don D. Rose and Noah, Noah will outrun any body playin the 5 and D rose will give shaq and Z hell on the pick and roll…Noah is not showing his ability to take bigger 5′s off the dribble and just WHAM! This bulls team is clicking..And their about to shock the world
Comment by Adrian — April 17, 2010 @ 4:21 am
Awesome clip of Noah, He’s never changed..A clip of his 06 title..His energy and hustle never dropped one bit, Uncontrollable love and passion for the game..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb9kFdMu2c4&feature=related
Comment by Adrian — April 17, 2010 @ 4:23 am
Cav’s in 3.
Comment by Derek — April 17, 2010 @ 5:01 am
You think this guy likes winning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ3y5hTHuP4
Comment by dlouis — April 17, 2010 @ 5:33 am
I thought drafting Noah was a mistake, but truth be told I started warming up to him his rookie season when he got suspended for getting into it with the overpaid old farts (Ben Wallace) and Scott Skiles leftovers flunkies.
I used to think Ben Wallace’s prime (with MUCH better free throw shooting) would be Noah’s ceiling I am sooooooooooooooooo glad he proved me sooooooooooooooo wrong.
Comment by Anonymous — April 17, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
Never question the heart of a champion, I was sold on joakim noahs two NCAA championships, joakim noah is a winner. period.
Comment by Adrian — April 17, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
oh hey other adrian
Comment by Adrian — April 17, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
Peanuts may contain peanuts.
Comment by Super Joe — April 19, 2010 @ 3:07 am