Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Jason Patt

PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 30
Next
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

11. player. 24. . Center. Chicago Bulls. Joakim Noah

When the Bulls traded Eddy Curry to the New York Knicks in 2005, part of the deal involved a first-round pick swap in 2007. The swap worked out in a big way, as the Bulls went from No. 23 to No. 9 and wound up with Florida center Joakim Noah after he won back-to-back national championships with the Gators.

It took some time for Noah to develop into an All-Star, but he was a key member of the Bulls’ rotation from the beginning. In his second season, he submitted one of the more memorable plays in recent Bulls history:

Noah continued to get better and better, and he finally earned his first All-Star berth in 2013 when he averaged 11.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 blocks in 36.8 minutes per game. The energetic big man also made the All-Defensive first team that season. In the playoffs, he delivered a gutty Game 7 performance to beat the Brooklyn Nets despite a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis.

The following season, Noah turned in the best year of his career. With Derrick Rose hurt again and Luol Deng traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Noah led the Bulls to the postseason with his terrific play on both ends. He was the defensive anchor and point center, averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals. He made another All-Star Game, won Defensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in MVP voting.

Unfortunately, the huge load over those two All-Star seasons took a toll on Noah. His career has gone downhill since that incredible 2013-14 season, and he has made almost zero impact with the New York Knicks after leaving the Bulls in 2016.

Still, Noah’s efforts as a player and emotional leader shouldn’t be diminished because of how things ended. He’s the franchise leader in offensive rebounds and is fourth in both defensive rebounds and total rebounds. He’s third in blocks, fourth in Value Over Replacement Player and in the top 10 in numerous other advanced stats, per Basketball-Reference.com. He goes down in Bulls history as a fan favorite.

Home/Bulls All-Time Lists