Injured Noah hopes he hasn't played last game for Bulls
Joakim Noah was back in Chicago on Tuesday, watching Bulls practice with his left arm in a sling. Noah had shoulder surgery last week in New York and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
But from Noah's perspective, it hasn't been all bad news.
"I liked the win in Cleveland (last Saturday). I liked that one a lot," he said with a smile. "I just loved the win. It was a good win for us."
Anything specific he liked about the Bulls beating the Cavaliers?
"In that game, I thought we executed well," he said. "It was just good to see their crowd got upset. Walked out of there with a win. Everyone was (ticked) off that night. Made me sleep better."
Cleveland fans booed their team at times when the Bulls built a double-digit lead in the second half. Unfortunately for the Bulls, they've lost three of their last four games surrounding the win over the Cavs. Noah can't do anything except offer encouragement and he tried his best Tuesday.
"I think the mindset is good on the team," Noah said. "We're still trying to figure things out in terms of rotations, guys getting in and out of the lineups. It's exciting. We lost some games we should have won. Won a lot of big games this year. Even though it's up and down, I feel there's a lot of hope and we're still trying to figure it out. It's a long process."
Noah, 30, has his own process to consider. The season-ending injury came at a bad time since he'll become a free agent this summer. It's possible Noah has played his last game with the Bulls, but his focus is on staying put.
"I hope so," Noah said when asked if he wants to stay. "Right now, I'm not trying to focus on the future. I had season-ending surgery last week, but this (playing for the Bulls) is all I know. I'm looking forward to see what the guys are doing. Right now it's all about taking a step back and just focusing on getting healthy and then we'll go from there.
"I've been here nine years. I've been injured before, maybe not in this situation. Yeah, I'm looking forward to being with the guys."
There will be some interesting decisions this summer. Pau Gasol can opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent. It seems likely that either Noah or Gasol won't be back with the Bulls next season, but the team may also consider trading other big men.
Noah remains popular with Bulls fans, which will be a factor in the decision. The Bulls seem fond of players who are good for marketing and Noah fits that bill. He also has been active in the community and won the NBA's Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award last season.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was thinking more about the short-term future when asked about Noah's new role.
"Obviously, where things are, he's frustrated," Hoiberg said. "But at the same time, Jo's going to bring energy. I know he's talking to the guys. He's the leader of this team. So to have him around is a boost to our team."
Hoiberg said Noah will not travel on the team's upcoming seven-game road trip.
Noah injured the left shoulder on Dec. 21 against Brooklyn. He returned three weeks later, played in four games, then reinjured that shoulder on Jan. 15 vs. Dallas, prompting the surgery.
"It's not easy, but I know there are people out there (life) is a lot harder for," Noah said. "So I'm not complaining. These are my cards right now. It's all about how you bounce back. I just want to prove I have a lot of basketball in me."
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