Yoakim Noah - Idiot or Future Star?
18/08/09
He’s French, ugly, and is capable of throwing some seriously funky shapes on the dance floor, or should I say basketball court for that matter. Just how will such a goof ball impact on the 2009-2010 Fantasy Basketball? Expect big things as the 2nd year centre bounces off a great 1st year playoff series against the then reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics. Averaging 10 scores, a beastly 13 boards a game, 2 blocked shots and 2 dimes a game, he was second in command to Derrick Rose in driving the Bulls to
a near upset for the ages. Noah really developed during the latter stages of the 2008-09 season and illustrated to the Bulls exactly why he should be, and will be a legitimate starter in the big league. There was a point where Bulls management were more opposed to making Tyrus Thomas their big man for the future as concerns over Noah’s development and work rate were routinely raised, however the pony tailed Frenchman soon reversed that stance from the Bulls front office, and has quickly became the center piece of the Bulls front court, while Thomas’ long term future with the Bulls appears to be in jeopardy.
Now that he is finally logging good consistent minutes, Noah will provide good defensive stats for his team in rebounds, steals and blocks, and perhaps now some offense in the form of regular double digit scoring. To say Noah will be a double-double machine throughout the upcoming season would not be too much of a stretch. Okay, perhaps not a complete and utter ‘machine’ as consistency may still be somewhat of an area to build on, but it will not come as a huge surprise to see Noah dominate the boards while showing the ability to score 10+ PPG while swatting a shot or two on a regular basis, not forgetting his agility and knack for disrupting passing lanes for steals. To add to that, Noah’s passing ability is something that is often overlooked as he has the ability to be a bit of a point forward, especially if the Bulls ever acquire a low post scorer to compliment him. Expect an ever so slightly improved post game, and a bigger, stronger, more ‘true’ centre like physical frame. Noah’s main focus this off season has been to add strength and sources inform that Noah has done just that as he completes a short, yet impressive outing with the dominant French national team this summer as part of Eurobasket preparation. While there were concerns over his ability to be a threat offensively, those very concerns were downgraded the second the Bulls struck luck in the draft lottery. Derrick Rose has brought offensive creativity to a team that was desperately lacking a player who could create scoring opportunities either for himself or for others. No longer does Noah need to worry about creating shots or being pressured into becoming that low post scorer, instead he has to continue to do what he does best. Things such as keeping active and thriving on second chance scoring opportunities, cutting and moving accordingly to drives by Rose for the dump pass and easy finish, running the floor, blocking shots, pounding the glass, and generally being a pest all over the floor with his natural nose for the ball and continuously running motor. It really does become simpler when teaming up alongside a Point God such as Derrick Rose. Young, showing promise, bursting with further potential, and fulfilling a position in a league where there is a huge void, Joakim Noah’s value sky rocketed through the roof over the second half of last season. Draft him and then keep him.. The future looks bright, 6ft 11 frizzy haired Frenchman, bright.