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Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah To Start Season On The Bench?

By Michael Dunlap

Mar 8, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts after being called for a technical foul against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts after being called for a technical foul against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joakim Noah could be starting the season on the bench instead of his usual starting role for the Chicago Bulls

Reports surfaced from the Chicago Tribune that Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah could be starting the 2015-16 NBA season on the bench, giving way to Nikola Mirotic at the starting power forward spot. Coach Fred Hoiberg hasn’t made an official announcement, but connecting the dots (along with source reports) shows Mirotic as the opening night starter.

Last season was a trainwreck for Noah, who elicited murmurs from the media and the fans including words like “washed, done, finished and a shell of himself.” He was coming off of a fantastic 2013-14 All-NBA campaign in which he averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game — but then the injury bug hit.

Noah had arthroscopic knee surgery to remove cartilage, which was supposed to keep him out 8 to 12 weeks. As it turned out, even though he came back and played 67 games, he was never the same player. When the dust settled, Noah saw a drop in every single main statistical category, ending with 7.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, .7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He shot just 44.5 percent from the field and 60.3 percent from the foul line.

As the Tribune noted, Noah comes into the 2015-16 season completely healthy. The problem is, he and Pau Gasol play the same position and Noah hasn’t fared well playing the four. With Mike Dunleavy out, coach Hoiberg tinkered with a big lineup that involved Mirotic, Noah and Gasol together — but it was ugly.

Noah did get a chance to start Monday night’s preseason matchup against the undefeated Charlotte Hornets (with Gasol resting) and made the most of his 33 minutes — scoring 12 points with 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. The Bulls lost the game.

Tuesday, Gasol was back in the starting lineup with Noah coming in off the bench. Noah’s five points and five rebounds (with five fouls) in 15 minutes isn’t a reason to be excited, but the Bulls won.

Noah has the right idea, as he told the Tribune: “Whatever is best for the team,” Noah said. “It’s not about me right now, it’s about this team. We have to figure out ways to get better, and we will.”

Next: 25 Best Players to Play for the Chicago Bulls

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