Joakim Noah's return around the corner -
Chicago Bulls Update
One of the top 10 centers in National Basketball Association (NBA), Joakim Noah ,of the Chicago Bulls is all set for a comeback as he joined the practice session on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Noah missed the Tuesday’s 98-79 victory against the Washington Wizards with an illness.
The 53-year-old Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said, "I think he will be fine." "He was back to normal today ... for him."
The dazzling Noah is now medically fit to play the upcoming match against the New Jersey Nets on Thursday night at Prudential Center.
The French-American basketball player has already missed 30 matches of the season 2010-11 due to thumb surgery. Before the hand injury, Noah had been averaging a double-double
in points and rebounds.
Noah’s absence did not bother the Bulls seriously, as they made it to the top of the Eastern Conference without facing serious hurdles. However, his return to the lineup
will definitely benefit the Bulls, as he is a tremendous offensive rebounder. The weak side defenders of the opponent team will have to stay close to 6 feet 11 inch tall Noah and in return it will free up the middle.
Coach Thibodeau said that Noah’s comeback would enhance the defensive play of the team. He stated, "His defense has been phenomenal, individual and team." "Offensively,
his timing is not quite there. It is getting better. Last game, he had two plays on which he sprinted the floor and got deep postposition for easy scores. I want him to do more of that until his timing comes around. He is handling his minutes."
Besides being sideline for most of the season, Noah is still averaging 12.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks. Prior to illness, Noah contributed 16 points,
nine rebounds, and one assist in Chicago’s 118-100 win over the Utah Jazz on March 12.
The Bulls are already without the services of forward Carlos Boozer, who is under day-to-day observation with a sprained left ankle. He missed three consecutive games
of the current season after an injury in a match against the Charlotte Bobcats on March 9.
Thibodeau said that Boozer is healthy and can join the team any time this month, "Still day to day," "Each day he does a little bit more. But again, we want to be smart
about it. We are not going to rush. When he is completely healthy, he will be back."
Although, Chicago have not had Noah and Boozer together at 100 percent all this season the return of such monumental players could further enhance their ongoing longest
winning streak.
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