Bulls’ Noah could be done for year?
By Craig Macleish - San Jose, Costa Rica
The Chicago Bulls have played well at times this season with center Joakim Noah, who is among the NBA’s rebounding leaders, but now it appears Noah could be shut down for the rest of the season because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Noah already has missed 11 games and has been shut down for three weeks in the hope that rest will solve the problem. His absence is really starting to show as the Bulls have lost three in a row entering the weekend. They were dominated by Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies on the boards in a home loss Thursday night. The Grizzlies had 62 points in the paint to Chicago’s 42.
Noah is more than just a good rebounder and defender, as he’s also the emotional leader of the team and his energy often provides the spark for the Bulls when they are in need of one.
“He’s that type of guy,” star Derrick Rose said. “When he comes in he’s always talking, always doing effort plays to give us extra possessions out there. Right now we’ve just got to find a way without him out there.”
The Bulls don’t have a ton of frontcourt depth after dealing Tyrus Thomas at the deadline. Backup center Brad Miller is almost 35 and can do only so much.
Even assuming the pain is gone in three weeks, Noah himself admitted times that it’s difficult for him to remain in proper condition without running up and down the hardwood floor that, currently, is causing him so much pain. At the very least, Noah will return and play limited minutes. Those 40 minute a night game are probably gone until next season.
“I don’t know if you do replace him,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. “He was the second-leading rebounder in the whole NBA (before his mid-January injury). He brings a lot of energy and has a great spirit to the game for us.”
Chicago is still in a battle to make the playoffs and has seven games left in a tough nine-game stretch in which the Bulls must face division leaders Dallas (twice), Orlando and Cleveland.
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