Joakim Noah Pens Farewell Letter to Chicago

The Joakim Noah era in Chicago has ended, and the center marked the occasion with a farewell note to the city and the Bulls published in the Chicago Tribune Thursday

"Thank you, Chicago!!" he begins, recalling his move to the city nine years ago, and that he quickly learned what Chicago is about. 

"Hard work. No nonsense. Grind. Loyalty. Passion," Noah lists. "I wanted to represent those qualities every time I stepped onto the court and competed for the Bulls."

Noah goes on to thank his teammates, telling them he has love and respect for everyone. 

"One day this basketball journey will be over and all we will have are memories," he said. "The best times in my life took place on the United Center floor. You are all my brothers."

"The relationships I made in Chicago go far beyond basketball, and to me that is just as big as winning the championship," he added.

"I wish the people in Chicago nothing but the best and I hope we can all continue to be united in bringing some peace to the city."

Noah said he will continue to work through his organization, the Noah's Arc Foundation, to "build positivity" in Chicago.

"I will continue to do my best to help this city. Chicago is home for the rest of my life, and my dream is still to help make the city a safer place for kids to grow up in."

"My journey now brings me home to New York and the team I grew up rooting for as a kid," Noah says, confirming that he will be playing for the Knicks. He and the team have reportedly agreed to a four-year deal worth $72 million, and he will be reunited with another former Bull, Derrick Rose. 

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Jah bless

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"But nothing has mattered more to me over the past nine years than the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bulls and all of the passionate Bulls fans."

Noah ends by saying there are too many people to thank individually, giving special thanks to the Reinsdorf family before signing off with "One love."

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