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Joakim Noah: Bulls Center Hopes To Keep Art Programs In Chicago Schools

By James D. Tillman III

Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) practices before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) practices before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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A few things come to mind when I think about Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah. For instance, Noah is one of the best passing big men in the league today; as he has averaged at least four assists per contest in each of the last three seasons.

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Another intangible that Noah possesses is that he has a very high motor and gives a maximum effort at both ends of the floor. And when Derrick Rose was working his way back from an ACL injury, Noah played an integral role in helping the Bulls advance to the playoffs after a shaky start during the 2013-14 campaign—a season in which he was named Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in MVP voting.

However, while Noah’s tenacious effort on the court has become a trademark of his game; he is equally passionate about the city of Chicago as well. This especially holds true when it comes to helping young people make positive choices in their lives.

Case in point, last month, the Bulls center recruited Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, director Spike Lee and a host of other people for a public service announcement that was coined “Rock Your Drop”.

The thought behind this initiative was to help young people avoid living a life of violence and focus on the different ways in which they can make a positive impact within their communities. This is what Noah had to say about that message in his own words, per Ananth Pandian of CBSSports.com:

"“Wearing the Drop means something. It’s a commitment to peace and a promise to spread the message. When you wear it, you show the world that violence is our problem — it’s not just a south side or a west side issue, it belongs to us all.”"

Very powerful statement to say the least.

And while the crusade to reduce violence in the streets is a noteworthy cause, this isn’t the only way that Noah is attempting to help young people in the Windy City. In fact, Noah and his mother Cecilia Rodhe, recently teamed up with “Be Creative”— a $38 million fundraising effort that is centered on the belief that arts are an essential component of a child’s educational development. The goal behind this initiative is to provide arts education to every student in the Chicago Public Schools system.

When asked about the importance of this program, Noah offered the following statement, as CBS Sports Ananth Pandian explains:

"“I’ve experienced firsthand the impact activities like sports and arts can have – how an emphasis on arts education can encourage kids to gain confidence, think outside of the box and embrace creativity. We are fortunate that initiatives like Be Creative exist to make sure students aren’t left out of these experiences.”"

Whether Noah is able to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2014-15 season remains to be seen. But what is a certainty is that he continues to demonstrate that he is passionate about the Bulls and is committed to finding ways to give back to communities within a city that has become his second home since he arrived in the NBA eight years ago.

Next: Chicago Bulls Unveil New Court Design For 2015-16 Season

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