Chicago Bulls rally to defend their under fire centre Joakim Noah: NBA play-offs Update
During the game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, the Joakim Noah, the Chicago Bulls centre directed an anti-g*y slur at a fan which resulted in $50,000 fine on Monday.
After hours of deliberation, the National Basketball Association (NBA) released its decision which depicted the penalty imposed was a result of “using a derogatory and offensive term from the bench."
Noah was quick to apologize for insulting a taunting fan during the first quarter and said, ‘‘Sometimes fans say things that are a little overboard. But it’s on us not to react. If you react, they win, and I did. It was a bad
decision on my part, and I’m going to face some pretty severe consequences.’’
However, he was still slapped with the fine. This fine adds to the recent struggles that the centre has had in the series against the Miami Heat. Noah has been completely helpless against his opposite number Chris Bosh this series.
However, in Noah’s difficult patch the Bulls family has stood up to back their superstar.
Luol Deng defended his teammate and said ‘I know Jo, and I know he didn’t mean what he said. At the same time, there’s times where, hearing a fan like that, I feel like jumping in the crowd. We’re human. Everyone says things they
don’t mean. Jo let his emotions get the better of him.’’
The Bulls believe that this whole episode could serve as a rallying point for their struggling centre and might be the catalyst he needs to counter the potent offensive battery of the Heat.
Deng further explained that the fan was apparently over the top and said more inappropriate things that fired up Noah. Chicago’s bench player Taj Gibson stated that the man consistently directed verbal abuse towards the team while
some other players from the team also acknowledged this fact.
The prolific forward Carlos Boozer said that it’s very unfortunate that the people who buy the tickets for the game have the right to say anything they want. While the players just have to sit there and bear whatever comes their
way.
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau when asked if the whole episode can be a distraction for the team, said ‘‘No, we just have to lock in and get ready for the next game.’’
The game-4 of the Conference Finals will be played on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena, which in one way or the other will be a defining game for the Bulls. A win can bring Chicago back in the challenge whereas a defeat
can take them to a point of no return.
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