NBA Report: Chicago Bulls' guard, Joakim Noah, fit and rearing to play
Toronto Raptors season campaign has already been nothing less than a painful travail. Thing took a turn for the worse further on Tuesday when the Bulls announced that Joakim Noah, their prolific is back and rearing to have a go at the them.
The Bulls center is restless to join his squad as he had already missed 30 games of the current season after thumb surgery.
"Very excited, very excited," Noah said. "It has been awhile. I am just excited to play basketball again."
Noah injured his thumb in Bulls 96-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings on 27 November. Joakim did not bother by the discomfort, as he was in the starting line-up in the next match against the Toronto Raptors. He registered 11 points and 11 rebounds
in a 110-93 victory of the Bulls. However, his condition got serious after the back-to-back games.
Noah stated, "It is hurting and I'm playing and I have got to take anti-inflammatory every time I play. I cannot practice. I have to get right. I have to get right and get back to this team. I am going to miss playing with the guys.”
Noah underwent a surgery that was performed by Mark Cohen and John Fernandez of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center. Anyhow, the good news for Chicago fans is that Noah is all set to rock the court, as his thumb feels much
better.
The Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that Noah’s return is a great advantage for the team and he could help the team in all areas.
"I think most of [Noah's] strengths are team strengths: His team defence, his energy, his rebounding, his shot-blocking, his passing," Thibodeau said. "I think when you add those things; it helps your team in a lot of ways.”
The absence of the 25-year-old Noah did not affect the Bulls very much as they have gone 22-8 since Noah's last game on December 15. Currently, the Bulls are in a strong position as they have won 38 games of the season at a cost of only 16 defeats.
They have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference and are in a close race with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
Prior to injury, Noah was averaging 14 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He only played 64 games due to injury, though. The Bulls once again made the playoffs securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, Noah averaged
14.8 points per game and 13.0 rebounds, but the Bulls lost to the lifeless Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in five games. On October 4, 2010, Noah agreed on a 5-year contract extension with the Bulls.
The Bulls have been a force to reckon with during the entire season even in the absence of Noah. With his arrival at this crucial juncture of the season, not only the Bulls can dream big but also they may actually win the eastern Conference title.
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