Power Forward: Joakim Noah vs Ersan Ilyasova
Oct 11, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) tries to get past Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) in the third quarter during pre-season game at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Many have accused Joakim of regressing this season as a result of his off-season knee surgery, but it’s more because his role on this team has drastically changed since last year.
He won the Defensive Player of the Year award last season by protecting the paint and stifling opposing players to a 46.1% field goal percentage at the rim. This season, he has had the duty of chasing around smaller power forwards and defending stretch fours at the 3-point line.
His responsibility offensively last season was stupendously greater than it is now. This year, the Bulls have a much improved Jimmy Butler and have added skilled offensive talent in Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, Nikola Mirotic, and even Derrick Rose. Noah has been hesitant shooting the ball but also knows he simply doesn’t have to do it as much.
His playmaking, on the other hand, is still there. He tied a career-high 14 assists against the Toronto Raptors on March 20th and has had five or more assists in 31 out of the 66 games he has played.
Ilyasova is one of those smaller forwards that can take advantage of this match-up against Noah by running around and stretching the floor shooting 3s. He succeeded in an impressive 95-91 win over the Bulls on April 1st when he shot 3-7 from the three point line on his way to 16 points.
It may be more of an annoying matchup than a tough one for Noah, but at the end of the day, his energy, persistence, and all of the other things that don’t show up on the box-score will give him the edge.
Advantage: Joakim Noah
Next: Pau Gasol vs. Zaza Pachulia