Joakim Noah left the United Center before tip-off of Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Bulls missed all of the offensive abilities he brings to the table, badly.
"You see what he does," Tom Thibodeau said to the Chicago Tribune. “What you can’t overlook is the importance of passing and what it means for your team and what it does for your team. Passing makes other people better. Jo is very unselfish. He hits the open man, makes the game easy, sets screens, gets to the offensive boards. That stuff goes a long way.”
For the last two seasons, with Derrick Rose sidelined with injuries, Tom Thibodeau has run his offense through Noah. Although he isn’t the best outside shooter or low-post player, his ability to handle the ball, make passes and good reads – in addition to what he brings defensively and on the boards – is the main reason the Bulls have been able to stay afloat with Rose out.
"The one thing Jo has really improved upon is he’s making very quick decisions,” the head coach said of his center. “It’s hard for the defense to catch up when he’s doing that. He has an ability to read the play and lead guys into their strengths. He’s playing at a very, very high level."
