Chicago Bulls: Selecting franchise’s 2010 All-Decade team

Center of the decade: Joakim Noah

The Bulls selected Joakim Noah with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. During his first two seasons, Noah averaged 6.6 and 6.7 points per game, respectively. However, the player who was once labeled as an energy guy averaged in double figures over the next five seasons.

Without a doubt, Noah had his greatest season in a Bulls uniform during the 2013-14 campaign. Derrick Rose’s first comeback from a torn ACL injury lasted just 10 games thanks to a meniscus tear and he would be lost for another season. On top of that, Luol Deng was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in January of 2014.

Taking those factors into consideration, the Bulls weren’t expected to be in the running for a postseason berth. However, thanks to the inspired play of Noah and Taj Gibson, the Bulls finished that season winning 34 of their final 48 games and managed to finish with the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference.

During that memorable season, Noah finished with averages of 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per contest. It was the highest assist average for a center in 34 seasons. Noah also won the Defensive Player of the Year award – the first Bulls player to accomplish the feat since Michael Jordan did so back in 1988 – and finished fourth in MVP voting.

Noah wore his heart and soul on his sleeve and he was the centerpiece of this Bulls team during the time in which Rose was recovering from multiple knee injuries. With that in mind, it is only fitting that he be chosen as the top center of the decade for this ball club.