Breaking News in the Pippen Ain’t Easy newsroom. Joakim Noah is happy for LeBron James. Yeah that Joakim Noah. Tall, has that long hair, Capricorn.
You know, the one that called LeBron James and the Miami Heat squad “Hollywood as Hell”.
Well Pippen Peoples, as we all know that Decision 2.0 is done and The Fresh Prince of Cleveland, LeBron James is going back home. It was about that time though. Every time the weight of carrying a franchise gets a little heavy. He usually leaves town in a hurry. It is what it is and James has made a lot of people happy.
But Joakim Noah?
I guess in the last four years, LeBron James’ public relations team deserves a raise for bringing his popularity from the depths of parts unknown. It’s cool to like LeBron James again. Especially the way the media put this LeBron James coming home to take care of unfinished business mess for the NBA fan to believe. Everyone loves a comeback story. We all loved Rocky right?
Well there’s everyone else and then there is Joakim Noah.
Joakim Noah seems to revel in the fact that LeBron James has taken his cowardice…I mean talents to Cleveland. But he seems to have his own reasons.
Well Joakim Noah expressed his reasons to the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson why he is happy that LeBron James went back to Cleveland. It will allow Noah more opportunities to beat James in the upcoming season.
K.C. Johnson @KCJHOOP
"Noah: “I’m happy for LeBron. he gets to go home; people are happy over there. I really hope we can kick his a$$ as many times as possible.”"
Really dude?
Anyone with a pulse can figure out that you don’t LeBron James. I can respect that. I realize that you have a personality that allows you to shoot from the hip at times. I guess Bulls fans like that.
But this is getting old.
I will be the first one to say that LeBron James went to Miami and basically leached off of Pat Riley and Dwyane Wade and got a couple of championships. He is an opportunist. A self-absorbed mercenary that will suck up as much publicity and success without paying the price of carrying a franchise. That I get.
But he seems to have this scam down to a science. The man still got his success.
If you really want to show this man up, (based on this stunt, I think you do) you can do these things and I guarantee you will get under LeBron James’ skin.
Win some playoff games.
Losing seven out of your last eight playoff games and four in a row at home is not a good look when the Heat has made four NBA Finals in a row. Now that I think about it. The last four playoff games the Bulls played Miami when LeBron James was there you lost. That’s like telling somebody after losing a fight “I beat your fist with my face.”
Granted the Miami Heat looked real bad losing to the San Antonio Spurs. But that was nothing compared to the way your Chicago Bulls made watching paint dry more appealing than watching the beat down you guys took to Washington in the first round last season.
You got to win a ring before you start throwing stones “glass house.”
Eventually after you start winning games in the playoffs, eventually you get to the NBA Finals. You have to win a ring before you start talking. Check that, become the Eastern Conference champs first. Look LeBron James happens to have won four…IN A ROW! Again, James did ride on the coattails of Riley and Wade, but he was smart enough to get on the gravy train and get what he could before leaving fat and happy.
Stop worrying about LeBron James and worry about your team.
Look, you have your own road to hoe. Stop worrying about what is going on in Cleveland. If the Cavs get Kevin Love, which I think will happen, the Cavs are not going to be pushovers. Furthermore, you have enough teams to worry about. Don’t sleep on the team he left in the first place, the Miami Heat. They found a suitable replacement for LeBron James. Oh, you know who he is. Your “brother”, Luol Deng. If he can duplicate what he did in your backyard in Chicago plus the moving of Chris Bosh to the post, the Bulls will have plenty to worry about, trust me. Plus they still have D-Wade. The Heat are still dangerous. They might not be as “Hollywood as Hell” as they used to, but they still command attention. Plus nobody should underestimate Pat Riley when he is upset. Trust me Joakim, he might hate LeBron more than you.
Your Chicago Bulls have had a great offseason and look like contenders…on paper. You guys haven’t played a game yet. Worry about getting your team prepared for a long season that doesn’t end with first round losses. How about you getting healthy. I am very aware of your injuries as well. The Bulls need you too.
There is a reason LeBron James does not get in a war of words with you Joakim. It’s because he doesn’t have to. He has the championships. He has the glory. He has the accolades.
You have sound bites.
You want him beat? Then shut up and win games. You look like that high school kid that is hating on the star quarterback! Stop it!
Because if you don’t, a lot of Chicago Bulls fans will be in the position you are in down below.
Apr 16, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) warms up before the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports