Joakim Noah admits deal hurt play

[Scoot26]

He got a raise but his numbers were down, and now Joakim Noah is saying that the pressure of a big contract was affecting his play.


"Yeah, no question, I thought about that," Noah said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "Sometimes you feel like because you're given so much money you're expected to do things. That's not the right mentality to have as a player. I have to play my game. I have to have fun out there. If I don't, I'm not the same player."

Read the rest...
Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah -- 'No question' big deal hurt play - ESPN Chicago

[WindyCity7]

knew it

[scottiepippen1994]

Originally Posted by WindyCity7

knew it

I think the same thing happened to Boozer and Deng when they first got there big Bulls contract.......Thatt and injury of course.

Maybe the players shouldn't get payed a lot of money and no contracts...Then they would play at there best all the time cause that's all that would matter.....But of course, that willnever happen.

[ChiTeez.com]

I saw that, but I think he is fine now! At least over his last few games he has certainly been good, with a double double in what, the last 5 games? I am sure that much money would effect most people, when it comes to your output. But, again, I think he is back to playing well!

[Megatron81]

and yall were ready to trade him for scraps

[BNB]

Originally Posted by scottiepippen1994

I think the same thing happened to Boozer and Deng when they first got there big Bulls contract.......Thatt and injury of course.

Maybe the players shouldn't get payed a lot of money and no contracts...Then they would play at there best all the time cause that's all that would matter.....But of course, that willnever happen.

Boozer was making a lot of money before he came to the Bulls. So that shouldn't be an excuse for him.

[ChiTeez.com]

Originally Posted by Megatron81

and yall were ready to trade him for scraps

Noah is my second favorite on the team. We met him at the team meet and greet, he was SUPER nice! Even signed my ball!

[clonetrooper264]

Originally Posted by Megatron81

and yall were ready to trade him for scraps

Certain people still do.

But hey, it's a forum...people overreact to silly things

[JosMin]

Figures as much. Same thing happened to Chris Johnson on the Titans. He definitely turned it on the last 8 games. On top of the contract, you could just tell Noah wasn't in game shape yet. Now that he's got 20 games under his belt, he definitely looks more active on both ends of the floor.

[BNB]

Originally Posted by JosMin

Figures as much. Same thing happened to Chris Johnson on the Titans. He definitely turned it on the last 8 games. On top of the contract, you could just tell Noah wasn't in game shape yet. Now that he's got 20 games under his belt, he definitely looks more active on both ends of the floor.

Noah wouldn't go into specifics of the personal matters that weighed on him. But given that Noah posted just one double-double in his first 12 games and has notched seven in his last 10, plenty has changed. Noah insists his conditioning isn't one of those things."That's what was so tough about (the slow start); I know I worked so hard in the offseason," Noah said. "It wasn't a question of being out of shape. I might be in a little better game shape now. But I came to camp in great shape." Whatever the reason for the turnaround, coach Tom Thibodeau appreciates having a big man who can serve as release point for Derrick Rose when Rose is trapped. Noah consistently facilitated offense from the high post when the Wizards employed this strategy in the fourth quarter on Monday. "Jo is very good in the middle of the floor with his decision-making and ability to put it down and create easy offense," Thibodeau said. Chicago Tribune