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Chicago Bulls: 5 Early Takeaways From Training Camp

By James D. Tillman III

Apr 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Derrick Rose (1) and center Joakim Noah (13) walks off the court after the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Bulls 92-90 in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Derrick Rose (1) and center Joakim Noah (13) walks off the court after the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Bulls 92-90 in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Joakim Noah wants and deserves a second chance

It is no secret that the former Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Star center struggled during the 2014-15 campaign. Not was only was there a noticeable drop off in his scoring and rebounding numbers, Noah also shot just 44 percent from the field and a rather unforgettable 60 percent from the charity stripe.

And because of that decline, many pundits began posing the question as to whether or not the Bulls should consider trading Noah, or at the very least, relegate him to the bench. While Noah was a liability on the court at various stretches, especially during the playoffs, the Bulls center is not ready to concede that he should relinquish his spot in the starting lineup, as reported by CSN Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill:

"“I think we should give it an honest evaluation while I’m healthy,” Noah said. “Last year, I wasn’t healthy. Let’s see how it goes and then coaches can make a decision from there.”"

To be honest, I could not agree more with that assessment. When he is healthy, Noah is one of the most versatile players at his position and he can run the floor and finish around the rim as well as any big man in the league.

Furthermore, Noah is a solid rebounder who is capable of holding his own defensively against opposing wing players. And unless he plays poorly for an extended period of time, Noah has earned the opportunity to show what he brings to the table when he is at 100 percent.

Next: Pau Gasol Hopes To See A Reduced Role

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