The Chicago Bulls are off to an impressive 8-4 season start, and they’re doing so with center Joakim Noah now being used as a backup. Coming off the bench for all 11 games he’s played this season, Noah is averaging 2.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg with 3.5 apg in 20.5 minutes per outing. Very good rebounding and assist numbers per minute, but still overall a quiet season for a player who was previously one of the best centers in the league. Here’s the Bulls.com blog reporting:
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Because Noah Friday in 17 minutes had his fifth scoreless game of the season; he has yet to score in double figures in any game despite averaging in double figures in five of his first eight Bulls seasons. He’s had fewer than five points in all but two games.
Noah is averaging a career low 2.5 points per game along with 8.4 rebounds. He’s shooting, the rare times he does, a career low 31.6 percent and 30.8 percent on free throws for a career 71 percent free throw shooter, likely a lifetime low. He’s at a seven-year low in rebounding and career lows in blocks and minutes played and the first season in his career, at least thus far, he hasn’t started a game.
Well, he does say he has his health.
“Physically, I feel good,” Noah insisted. “Now it’s trying to figure out where I can get opportunities offensively and just helping the defense. That’s it. I’ve to be more aggressive when I get my opportunities. There are less. But I’ve still got to still figure it out. It’s tough. Just trying to figure it out; keep working. But it’s definitely an adjustment. I feel like I’m rushing a little bit. I’m making too many turnovers. I like to help the team win. I wasn’t able to do that.”
