Chicago Bulls: First-Round Draft Picks in Last Decade

May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2007: Joakim Noah’s arrival in Chicago

He was the catalyst of Florida’s two National Championships in the late 2000s. His game was a little kooky, but he made it work.

And, with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Bulls got a cornerstone piece to their franchise.

Joakim Noah‘s arrival via the draft in 2007 was the start of the odyssey the Bulls are currently venturing in. After departing a season early from Gainesville, Noah found a home in Chicago with the Bulls.

It was the prettiest of starts to his NBA career, as Noah didn’t make too many allies due to an overaggressive attitudes.

But, all it took was one play:

Noah’s terrific and-one in triple overtime of the Bulls’ classic 2009 playoff series with Boston changed the trajectory of his career, and ever since then, he’s become of the best big men in the NBA.

The 2014-15 season was a disappointment, but there’s no denying his impact. Noah has made two All-Star Games, the All-NBA First Team in 2014 and won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014.

Along with on-court contributions, Noah has made a huge impact in the Chicago community with his approach to violence around the city.

Next: 2008: 1.7 percent = Derrick Rose