dougthonus
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** This thread discusses the content article: Jo Knows.. **
Supporting Joakim Noah has often been a lonely position. His lack of offense and early conditioning issues left fans wondering why the Bulls drafted him in the first place. Two months into a weak sophomore season fans who were excited after his rookie campaign were scrambling to get off the bandwagon.
However, Jo knows winning. While questions of his conditioning, entitlement, and attitude have dogged him throughout much of his tenure with the Bulls, Noah knows the requirements to take his game to the next level. Vinny Del Negro made Noah work to earn his role back on the team. He spent much of the season fighting for minutes, but over time, improvements in conditioning and hustle have left him on the court more often and in important minutes.
His confidence is soaring as seen by him dunking the ball every time he has an opening near the basket instead of settling for lay ups. No longer does he shy away from contact around the rim. The Bulls effectively run the pick and roll with him, which was a big issue earlier in the season where he couldn’t find the proper place to roll after setting a pick.
Noah’s hustle in transition has helped create easy opportunity for him at the rim and forces opposing defenders to work so much harder to keep up. His offensive efficiency has seen a huge uptick this season and the numbers are even better when looking at only the second half. His offensive rebounding is among the best in the league, and the combination of his skills has allowed him to find a niche offensively despite a lack of polished skills. Something Ben Wallace failed to do here.
Defensively, his shot blocking has been surprisingly good. Especially impressive that he blocks many shots on his own man on defense rather than gathering up blocks solely as a weak side defender. Opposing centers still push him around, but he understands what he needs to do to get better.
Noah hired a live in personal trainer to keep him in shape and cook his food for him. As a result, expect to see large improvements in his strength and conditioning in the future. On top of that, he’s focusing on improving his leg strength and will spend most of his offseason on improving his lower body strength.
Strength is more important than weight, and leg strength keys the ability to maintain position under the hope on both ends of the court. Prediction: Joakim Noah improves on Tyson Chandler’s best days as a Bull within two seasons. The strengths will be similar, but Noah’s ball handling, passing, and selflessness will give him a spot on this team for years to come.
Often an afterthought by fans, Noah may be one of the most important players the Bulls have going forward. All-star status may not be likely in his future, but make a quick list of the centers in the NBA who are significantly better than Joakim Noah in two seasons. Small list.
So jump back on the bandwagon while there’s still plenty of room left. Enjoy him now, at least until he signs an extension at which point his 8+ million per year salary will again leave fans wondering whether it was all worth it.
Supporting Joakim Noah has often been a lonely position. His lack of offense and early conditioning issues left fans wondering why the Bulls drafted him in the first place. Two months into a weak sophomore season fans who were excited after his rookie campaign were scrambling to get off the bandwagon.
However, Jo knows winning. While questions of his conditioning, entitlement, and attitude have dogged him throughout much of his tenure with the Bulls, Noah knows the requirements to take his game to the next level. Vinny Del Negro made Noah work to earn his role back on the team. He spent much of the season fighting for minutes, but over time, improvements in conditioning and hustle have left him on the court more often and in important minutes.
His confidence is soaring as seen by him dunking the ball every time he has an opening near the basket instead of settling for lay ups. No longer does he shy away from contact around the rim. The Bulls effectively run the pick and roll with him, which was a big issue earlier in the season where he couldn’t find the proper place to roll after setting a pick.
Noah’s hustle in transition has helped create easy opportunity for him at the rim and forces opposing defenders to work so much harder to keep up. His offensive efficiency has seen a huge uptick this season and the numbers are even better when looking at only the second half. His offensive rebounding is among the best in the league, and the combination of his skills has allowed him to find a niche offensively despite a lack of polished skills. Something Ben Wallace failed to do here.
Defensively, his shot blocking has been surprisingly good. Especially impressive that he blocks many shots on his own man on defense rather than gathering up blocks solely as a weak side defender. Opposing centers still push him around, but he understands what he needs to do to get better.
Noah hired a live in personal trainer to keep him in shape and cook his food for him. As a result, expect to see large improvements in his strength and conditioning in the future. On top of that, he’s focusing on improving his leg strength and will spend most of his offseason on improving his lower body strength.
Strength is more important than weight, and leg strength keys the ability to maintain position under the hope on both ends of the court. Prediction: Joakim Noah improves on Tyson Chandler’s best days as a Bull within two seasons. The strengths will be similar, but Noah’s ball handling, passing, and selflessness will give him a spot on this team for years to come.
Often an afterthought by fans, Noah may be one of the most important players the Bulls have going forward. All-star status may not be likely in his future, but make a quick list of the centers in the NBA who are significantly better than Joakim Noah in two seasons. Small list.
So jump back on the bandwagon while there’s still plenty of room left. Enjoy him now, at least until he signs an extension at which point his 8+ million per year salary will again leave fans wondering whether it was all worth it.
