Noah's off-season routine: Work before fun

When the playoff series against Boston ended last spring, Joakim Noah vowed to spend less time touring the world during the off-season.

As it turned out, he found plenty to do right here in Chicago.

"My highlight of Chicago this summer was definitely Lollapalooza," Noah said Monday at the Berto Center. "I would definitely go back next year. I did have a great time this off-season, don't get it wrong."

Bulls fans who spent time on the Internet already knew Noah had a great time at the Grant Park music festival, because plenty of photo evidence was available. Standing out like that in a huge crowd isn't easy, but Noah reported everything was fine after a couple of trips to the refreshment stand.

The third-year center did move around this summer. He worked out at the Gold's Gym on Venice Beach in Southern California, spent a couple of weeks at the IMG Academy in Florida and visited his family in France.

"I traveled a lot, but I really tried to stick to a routine," Noah said. "One of my best friends is a trainer, so I always kept him with me.

"Overall, I feel it was a good summer for me as far as working on my game and getting stronger. I feel like I'm becoming more and more professional with my approach.

"The more you're in the league, the more you realize what's good for you and what's not good for you."

During his first two years in the NBA, Noah got off to slow starts but usually played well late in the season. He was very good in the playoff loss to the Celtics, averaging 13.1 rebounds and 10.1 points.

One benefit this year is some continuity in the coaching staff. Noah played for Scott Skiles and Jim Boylan as a rookie, then had to adjust to Vinny Del Negro's system a year ago.

"It's obviously a little bit different when you lose someone like BG (Ben Gordon), who was a big part of what we did," Noah said. "The first three days of practice have been positive. Guys are working hard. There's definitely a good vibe in the locker room."

Noah made a cameo appearance with the French national team this summer, playing in an exhibition tournament in Strasbourg. He probably could have joined the French team at the European championships, but he declined.

"It kind of puts you in a weird situation, because you kind of want to be back with the guys here and you want to show your commitment to the Bulls," he said. "At the same time, I really enjoyed the guys (on the French team). Obviously, I'm from a lot of different places. So it's like I don't have that same type of national-pride thing."

Noah lived in Paris as a child but moved to New York City for his teen years. His mother, Cecilia Rodhe, is from Sweden, while his father is former tennis great and current French pop music star Jannick Noah.

By finishing fifth in the European event, France qualified for next year's FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Noah suggested there's a possibility he'd be interested in playing for France next summer, but that decision is a long way off.

"I think that's something I want to do in the future," Noah said of the French national squad. "But I think this year, it was important that I spend more time here and just show the organization that I was committed.

"There were always questions about me trying to do too much in the summer, and I just wanted to show I was focused."

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