Noah feels bouncier, basks in positive vibes

Joakim Noah put his own, unique spin on the first two days of Bulls training camp, saying there were "positive vibes" and good energy in the gym.

Part of that is because a new season and new coaching staff bring a fresh outlook to the team. But Noah is also feeling much better physically than he did last year.

He's hoping the chronic knee pain is a thing of the past and made that clear when asked Wednesday if he'll mesh better with Pau Gasol the second time around.

"I think we should give it an honest evaluation while I'm healthy," Noah said after practice at the Advocate Center. "Last year, I wasn't healthy. Let's see how it goes and then coaches can make a decision from there."

What does he hope could happen?

"A lot of W's baby," Noah answered. "A lot."

Noah ignored most questions asking for specifics about what he hopes to accomplish in his ninth NBA season. His performance tumbled significantly last year after he was first-team All-NBA and finished fourth in MVP voting in 2013-14.

"I'm worried about this moment right now. I'm worried about camp," Noah said. "I'm so happy I'm able to be able to move the way I want to move. That's something I've kind of taken for granted in the past. I'm just excited to show what I can do.

"I just feel bouncier, just lighter on my feet. Just waking up in the morning and moving good, that's a good feeling. Doing a lot of yoga every morning before I come in. Just taking care of myself a little different."

Gasol didn't say much about working with Noah this season - it's up to the coach to put them on the floor together, after all - but he did agree with the bouncy description.

"Yeah, he looks bouncier. He looks fresh," Gasol said. "He looks like he's in really good shape, has worked hard during the summer. Now he does feel and look bouncier. It's great to see him that way."

Hoiberg spreads praise:

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg hasn't been afraid to compliment his players during the first two days of training camp. He even picked out Jimmy Butler for most impressive.

"I'll say this, they've all been really good," Hoiberg said Wednesday. "Jimmy was phenomenal. I thought he's been absolutely terrific. You know Tony (Snell) had a very good practice. Pau (Gasol) and Niko (Mirotic) are in great shape coming off the European championship.

"Really you can't just say one guy. I will say that Jimmy had an excellent first day."

Hoiberg also brought praise for veteran guard Kirk Hinrich. Hoiberg and Hinrich missed being Bulls teammates by one year.

"Kirk's just so rock solid," Hoiberg said. "He's always in the right spot defensively. He can get us into an offense. Coming down on the break yesterday, he made a couple of great reads just in initiating offense.

"He's just such a solid player, does a lot of things that don't show up in a box score. That's a tough role to have, but Kirk has played well his entire career."

Gasol breathing easier:

Add Pau Gasol to the list of Bulls who needed offseason surgery (joining Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy). Gasol's situation was relatively minor, though. He had sinus surgery in June, which he revealed Wednesday.

"I'm OK. It worked out really well," he said. "I'm breathing better. I'm running well. I just had chronic sinusitis the last two years.

"It was limiting me at times. I missed the game against Minnesota because of it last year. Now it's all better, it's all clear in there. So hopefully that will make a difference."