Noah is a freak show

[DoubleOhHoya]

excitableboy said:

hifigator said:

He's catching a good bit of heat for that getup last night even on our board:

www.gatorsportsforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=186233&start=0&sid=1aeb91ecde569cfc79101f5cf59158ba

There's an entire board devoted to discussions about the Gators of Florida! Cool!

Now that we've uncovered this gem, we should all pound the board and see if we can take over the joint.

[hifigator]

excitableboy said:

hifigator said:

He's catching a good bit of heat for that getup last night even on our board:

www.gatorsportsforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=186233&start=0&sid=1aeb91ecde569cfc79101f5cf59158ba

There's an entire board devoted to discussions about the Gators of Florida! Cool!

? I thought you already knew that. In any case, I was glad I could be of service.

[RDF]

I've always liked how Noah plays--but I think he's a bad fit with Chicago--they already have 2 guys who are "energy guys" who have zero low post game and can't score down low--why add another? Or better yet, why sign Ben Wallace if you planned on drafting players just like him? That puts too much emphasis on jumpshooting and as long as Kirk Hinrich is your main ball handler decision maker--that is what the team will be--a bunch of jumpshooters--because he doesn't take it to the rim and you can play the draw/kick everytime with him.

I like kids who are winners and who are real about their personality. Noah has always been a bit goofy, but he's consistent and he cares about his teammates and winning games. I find him far less moronic then the ACT that was Dennis Rodman--who could play ball but CREATED a persona instead of being real--at least Noah hasn't changed who he is and what he's about.

[hifigator]

RDF, I wouldn't discount Noah's low post game. He is pretty crafty around the basket. And he is really quick which will help offset his slight build. His biggest weakness is his reluctance to shoot the 12-15 footer ... well, actually I guess the weakness would be the inability to make the 12-15 footer. That is what Horford added to his game this past season. He is a very solid mid-range shooter. Noah hasn't developed that yet.

I do see your point with regard to fitting in Chicago, but Noah is unique. His ball handling skills and overall quickness and speed give him advantages that virtually no other 7 footers have.

[RDF]

hifigator said:

RDF, I wouldn't discount Noah's low post game. He is pretty crafty around the basket. And he is really quick which will help offset his slight build. His biggest weakness is his reluctance to shoot the 12-15 footer ... well, actually I guess the weakness would be the inability to make the 12-15 footer. That is what Horford added to his game this past season. He is a very solid mid-range shooter. Noah hasn't developed that yet.

I do see your point with regard to fitting in Chicago, but Noah is unique. His ball handling skills and overall quickness and speed give him advantages that virtually no other 7 footers have.

It's the NBA--it's a big man's game and everyone is big, athletic, and physical. This isn't UF anymore--if you don't bring more to the table then what Noah has shown and you are surrounded by the limited post players Bulls have--you are another "energy" guy and just there to play defense and rebound for their jumpshooters. Noah isn't capable of giving you low post scoring at the NBA level--he's too thin and will get pushed off the blocks and manhandled on offensive end.

[vcjack]

I had a nightmare last night that the Bulls wasted their best deal of the decade on a psychopath with no shooting ability who adressess none of their needs and then went further to embaress themselves by drafting mr 1 for 13 himself Aaron Gray.

I'm still waiting to wake up from this bad bad dream

[FormerHoya]

vcjack said:

I had a nightmare last night that the Bulls wasted their best deal of the decade on a psychopath with no shooting ability who adressess none of their needs and then went further to embaress themselves by drafting mr 1 for 13 himself Aaron Gray.

I'm still waiting to wake up from this bad bad dream

First, as a Bulls fan, I'm no fan of this move, but I'm more of a fan than Rick Morrissey:
chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070628morrissey,1,761512.column?coll=cs-home-headlines

Second, I don't think Gray is a horrible second round pick. Frankly, I think he'll be more useful to the Bulls than Noah.

Finally, vcjack, I don't think I'm getting the joke about "Praxton" under your avatar. Explain please.

[vcjack]

formerhoya2 said:

vcjack said:

I had a nightmare last night that the Bulls wasted their best deal of the decade on a psychopath with no shooting ability who adressess none of their needs and then went further to embaress themselves by drafting mr 1 for 13 himself Aaron Gray.

I'm still waiting to wake up from this bad bad dream

First, as a Bulls fan, I'm no fan of this move, but I'm more of a fan than Rick Morrissey:
chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070628morrissey,1,761512.column?coll=cs-home-headlines

Second, I don't think Gray is a horrible second round pick. Frankly, I think he'll be more useful to the Bulls than Noah.

Finally, vcjack, I don't think I'm getting the joke about "Praxton" under your avatar. Explain please.

Sorry, I don't make myself very clear when I'm bitter, so let me explain myself

1st, it shouldn't suprise you that the trib is overreacting, its their standard

2nd, you have a good point about Gray and I think you are right that he will be more usefull than Noah, but when Spencer Hawes, basically the same player Gray is but better, was still sitting undrafted and they passed on him, Gray just looks like a cheap substitute

3rd, I've had Paxon (sorry quick typo) in my avatar ever since Jeff decided to stay in the draft and my "Message to Paxon" was me begging him to take Jeff if he had the chance, but now that the draft is over I decided to use the same avatar to display my disgust with his and the rest of the management's handling of the draft. I'll move on, both my avatar and my anger, but I will still pray that he gets moved off in an epic Kobe/Garnett trade

[hifigator]

RDF, I agree with you that Noah will always be at a physical disadvantage against most all NBA centers. But, he will almost always be at a quickness and speed advantage. Offensively, he will have trouble bulling any of the real physical defenders, but they will have trouble staying out of foul trouble as well. But as you suggested in your earlier post, the real issue is Noah's lack of any kind of mid range jumper. Hell, he's tall enough he could use a 10-12 foot set shot. Either way, he needs something to make them respect just enough to be able to put his quickness strength to work.

Defensively, he will certainly have issues against the bully type centers of the Shaq build. But his natural instincts are very good as is his timing. He will get his share of blocked shots and create his share of turnovers because of his quickness and timing.

Lastly, he will be a constant mismatch on the open floor.

He will be a solid player for sure. But IF ... and I know that is a big if, but if he can develop even a decent 10-12 footer, he has the potential to be a star player for a long time.

[hifigator]

rdf said:

hifigator said:

RDF, I wouldn't discount Noah's low post game. He is pretty crafty around the basket. And he is really quick which will help offset his slight build. His biggest weakness is his reluctance to shoot the 12-15 footer ... well, actually I guess the weakness would be the inability to make the 12-15 footer. That is what Horford added to his game this past season. He is a very solid mid-range shooter. Noah hasn't developed that yet.

I do see your point with regard to fitting in Chicago, but Noah is unique. His ball handling skills and overall quickness and speed give him advantages that virtually no other 7 footers have.

It's the NBA--it's a big man's game and everyone is big, athletic, and physical. This isn't UF anymore--if you don't bring more to the table then what Noah has shown and you are surrounded by the limited post players Bulls have--you are another "energy" guy and just there to play defense and rebound for their jumpshooters. Noah isn't capable of giving you low post scoring at the NBA level--he's too thin and will get pushed off the blocks and manhandled on offensive end.

To clarify one point:

Would you agree that one of Jeff's advantages is that he can handle the ball better than most guys his size? Obviously you would. That is the same quality that Noah has. He is that much taller and at least in my opinion, equally adept at passing the ball as well as making 1 on 1 moves. Now what Green also brings to the table is that he is physically stronger than most of the quys who are quick enough to man up on him. Noah certainly can't say that.

[RDF]

hifigator said:

rdf said:

It's the NBA--it's a big man's game and everyone is big, athletic, and physical. This isn't UF anymore--if you don't bring more to the table then what Noah has shown and you are surrounded by the limited post players Bulls have--you are another "energy" guy and just there to play defense and rebound for their jumpshooters. Noah isn't capable of giving you low post scoring at the NBA level--he's too thin and will get pushed off the blocks and manhandled on offensive end.

To clarify one point:

Would you agree that one of Jeff's advantages is that he can handle the ball better than most guys his size? Obviously you would. That is the same quality that Noah has. He is that much taller and at least in my opinion, equally adept at passing the ball as well as making 1 on 1 moves. Now what Green also brings to the table is that he is physically stronger than most of the quys who are quick enough to man up on him. Noah certainly can't say that.

Green's advantage is that he can shoot, pass, post and face. Noah can play with his back to basket within 4 feet, hustle and rebound. He's a good player and a guy who will play in NBA for years--but considering where he's going and what they needed--he's a terrible selection in my opinion. I'm not saying he can't play in the NBA, I am saying what he brings to this particular team makes his success rate less then if he went somewhere he'd be unique. The Bulls have 2 other guys just like him in Wallace and Thomas--if you play 2 of them at same time--you have no inside scoring or really scoring at all unless it's a dunk/hustle play. The Bulls don't run the ball--like Phoenix--where I think Noah would've fit in perfectly and been a Star. Noah's ball handling helps him if he's playing on a team that gets out and runs--what good does it do him if he's going to try and take someone off the dribble in NBA when they know he can't shoot? They'll play off him and he'll dribble into traffic, get ripped and it's a turnover. It's not always about how you play--it's WHO selects you and how THEY PLAY.

[NickSixers]

I'll always hate Noah, mostly out of frustration for the game last year. Also, I see him as a complete hot dog, even though all the press this week said he was such a great teammate. As someone mentioned earlier, he's a guy most of us would love if he was on our team, but instead we love to hate him. All that being said, I still don't like him.

I attended the draft on Thursday, and had some entertaining seats. Players would walk right by me as they exited to go to the media room after being picked, and entered after they were done their media obligations. Here is video of Noah re-entering the theater with his usual stupid dancing act.



Freak show INDEED.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

If noah was on my team i'd be very embaressed and probably tell him to get his act together. what a tool. I don't care about his play on the court. He's complete prick and acts like an idiot. I would not want him representing my team. there's a difference between having fun and just being an imature show off.

[hoyainspirit]

hoyanick said:

I'm sorry hifi, but Noah will go down as the biggest bust of this draft - at least if he stays with the Bulls. The last thing the Bulls need is an energetic but one-dimensional defender. Noah is a glorified Ronnie Turiaf. They needed someone who could score. Noah's form and scoring prowess resembles that of a tall WNBA player.

EDITED: to note that I do think Noah is probably a great citizen and a good guy for kids to look up to.

The conventional wisdom going into the draft was that the Bulls needed a low post scorer. That may be true. But to say the kid will be a bust is a bit premature, IMO. If I recall, another flamboyant character with a limited offensive game played fairly well for the Bulls. Dennis Rodman was one of the few players in the NBA who could dominate a game without scoring a point. Noah could have a long and productive career as a player who specializes in defense and rebounding.