Joakim Noah playing great basketball

[insidehoops]

Noah is playing the best basketball of his career -- and -- he's also the most important player on his team. When the Bulls lost Derrick Rose again for the year because of a knee injury and traded Luol Deng to Cleveland, the team could have easily folded for the year, but Noah wouldn't let them. He has become an even better leader off the floor, and he's dominating in various stages on it. Along with Tom Thibodeau, Noah is the biggest reason why the Bulls are having another successful season...

Noah is averaging 4.6 assists a game and a quarter of his possessions end with an assist. He leads the Bulls in total assists, a rarity for a center. Since Deng was traded on Jan. 7, he's had 14 games with six or more assists, including three double-digit games on February. He set his career-high with 13 on Feb. 19. Going into Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, Noah was averaging 12.1 points and 11.5 rebounds a game in 34.1 minutes. But it's not just about numbers. He has eclipsed the injured Derrick Rose in current popularity and his play this season has cemented him as an all-time Bulls great.

-- ESPN Chicago

[SpecialQue]

I agree.

[Johnny Jones]

[LeGOAT]

Very great player. Much intensity! Insidehoops #1!

[moe94]

No one believed in him.

[Basketbolero]

My favourite Bull, dude has a unique skillset and just does not ever give up

[nathanjizzle]

jeff is a bulls fan. my bulls brethren

[LeGOAT]

Noah has always been the true leader of the Bulls

[Denitron]

So true

[secund2nun]

Most people said on draft day that he would bust. How wrong they were.

Noah is probably the most underrated player in the NBA.

[Chicago Brawls]

http://vimeo.com/40391994

[beastee]

His first 2-3 years I dogged on him so hard. Yelled at him from the stands and basically thought he was a joke. He added 20 lbs. of muscle and worked hard to develop some low post technique...and he started to grow on me. I thought the contract he got was too much, but Other than say maybe a handfull of players, its probably the best value contract in the league. Chicago fans are very loyal and I don't see him going anywhere. The big question for the future is Can they win it all with him being the 3rd best player on the team...I say yes. But that requires Rose to elevate to 2nd best and a Big time FA coming in. If Noah is your #2 guy...you can do well every season, but I don't think you can claim a 'ship.

[smoovegittar]

I hate that pop gun celebration, but he's a beast and I'd love him on my team. Makes it fun to watch.

Saying this, it occurs to me how much I'm done with Tyson Chandler. He's an embarrassment. Getting into it with Speights last night - I'd love to see him pull that shit on Hibbert. Punk ass.

[beastee]

I hate that pop gun celebration, but he's a beast and I'd love him on my team. Makes it fun to watch.

He stopped the guns because of all the murders in Chicago. Classy dude.

[smoovegittar]

He stopped the guns because of all the murders in Chicago. Classy dude.

Even more respect...