Noah returns, feels no pain

In a locker room featuring four new players, Joakim Noah nearly drew gasps from the assembled reporters before Saturday's game when he sat down at his stall in full uniform.

Yes, it was true. Noah's streak of games missed due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot would end at seven. The third-year center came off the bench for a seven-minute run in the first half, then just watched the rest of the Bulls' blowout win over Philadelphia.

He returned after the game with a positive report.

"I feel good right now," Noah said. "I feel no pain."

Before the contest, he gave a more detailed analysis of his foot pain. When the Bulls decided to give Noah time off before the all-star break, he also had a procedure done in which blood was injected into the afflicted area.

"Some days feel better than other days," Noah said. "The pain, it's in different places on my foot. Sometimes it's more painful on my heel. Sometimes it's more painful in the front of my foot. But it feels pretty good today, so we'll see how things go. I'm just trying to gradually move in the right direction for when it really, really, really counts."

Noah entered the game late in the first quarter to a loud ovation. His most memorable play, though, was a breakaway dunk attempt that clanged off the back rim and bounced halfway to the ceiling of the United Center. Noah had 1 point, 2 rebounds and a willingness to do whatever it takes to come back strong.

"My friend went to the gym the other day and somebody at the gym said, 'Drink this, it's good for feet,' " he said. "I drank it. We'll see. Some fruit drink that's good for your feet. Whatever helps."

Taj doesn't let up: Bulls rookie Taj Gibson has quietly gone from pleasant surprise to a force at power forward. He led the Bulls with 20 points and 13 rebounds Saturday.

During this week's four-game winning streak, Gibson averaged 13.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and shot 63 percent from the field.

Asked to explain how he bypassed the so-called rookie wall, Gibson gave this explanation:

"I just work out every day," he said. "I don't take a day off. Every day after the game, I get up the next morning and work on something I could have done better. I don't know. I just talk to coaches and try to figure out things the team needs. We didn't have Jo (Noah), so I try to go for every rebound."

Remembering Tyrus: Joakim Noah was away from the team when the trade deadline hit, so he offered a farewell tribute to Tyrus Thomas before Saturday's game.

"I think Tyrus is misunderstood a lot," Noah said. "He's a very emotional player. He definitely went through a lot in his time here, but he's somebody who has probably the most potential I've even been around.

"We were really close. I think (the trade) is good for him and I think he'll do great over there in Charlotte."

In his second game with the Bobcats, Thomas finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks in a loss at Milwaukee. John Salmons scored 19 for the Bucks.