Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports
Chicago center Joakim Noah has been described as many things. He’s been labeled as an emotional leader, a warrior and a pain for other teams. But the one thing he wants to be, is the best center in the NBA. With more improvement on his offensive game, he can achieve that.
When conversations are discussed about who are the best centers in the league, Noah’s name doesn’t immediately pop up. Fans and people around the league will say Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Brooke Lopez or even Andrew Bynum. Noah should be put in that group.
Noah has improved every year since he was drafted in 2007. He was named to his first All-Star game last season. Defensively, he is a beast, blocking shots and guarding centers and power forwards. He rebounds, passes quite well for a big man, runs the floor, finishes strong at the rim, and hustles. So why isn’t he mentioned in the top three of big men in the league? Because, offensively, he still has a ways to go.
Noah has gotten somewhat better with his offensive moves; it is evident that he worked on that part of his game last season. The Bulls would dump the ball inside to Noah, and he would try to make something happen. He will never be mistaken to have post moves like Kevin McHale or Hakeem Olajuwon. He sometimes looks awkward when posting up; he also has this funny rotation on his jump shot. Opponents leave him open, but he takes that shot and makes it.
Noah is the heart and soul of the Bulls. He is everything you want in a player: passionate, hardworking, dedicated and a leader. His offensive game will catch up to his defensive presence. He has to develop a go-to move where the Bulls can rely on him to deliver inside. Noah can, and will, get better to become a top three center in the league.
Courtney Harden is a Chicago Bulls writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @courtney110979, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
