NBA education comes tougher than college for rookie Noah
Joakim Noah is finding that life in the NBA has yet to bring the same huge success he enjoyed as a college player.
After helping the University of Florida to back to back NCAA titles, the son of tennis great Yannick is still finding his feet as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
Drafted by the Bulls as one of the most highly touted products of the 2007 college class, Joakim Noah's impressive physique (2.11m/106kg) has failed to make an immediate impact although the season is only a handful of games old.
"Every player is a monster. You are playing against guys who have 10 to 14 years NBA experience behind them and they know all the tricks."
He picked up a knock to his ankle in Chicago's final pre-season game and missed the first three games of the season saying he "needs to learn the systems of play"
His stats are hardly comparable to former Bulls great Michael Jordan averaging just 1.2 pts a game against 3.2 rebounds.
To make matters worse, he has yet to score his first basket from the field despite seven attempts and after averaging 19min, 12min and 19min of playing time in his first three appearances, his court time has been cut to 2min 27secs on Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers and 5min 51secs against the already beaten Los Angeles Lakers.
"It's hard to not play much, but at the same time I try to remain positive and continue to progress. I still have a lot to learn," he admits.
He says he is unaffected by rumours that he could be part of a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that could involve several high profile names including Joakim Noah and with Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant at the centre of the deal.
"Not an excuse," he says.
Joakim Noah's mother, 1978 Miss Sweden Cecillia Rodhe is a sculptor in New York where Joakim was born before moving to Paris and attending American schools.
While his father will forever be remembered for winning the French Open in 1983, Joakim always preferred a basketball court to a tennis one.
"Everyone was trying to compare me to my father. I just didn't want to deal with it. I remember going to tournaments with my father and wanting him to lose because I just wanted to go home and spend some time with my father." he revealed of his childhood.
He possesses a Swedish passport courtesy of his mother, an American passport and could equally apply for a French or Cameroonian one.
However while his international career remains on hold, his club career remains the focus and getting to grips with life in the NBA.
He is not the first player to struggle in his first season and his high profile signature on a Bulls contract attracted even more pressure and attention.
"I am living a life of an apprentice." he says.
Indeed while he left college in a hail of glory, he is still finding his NBA education a tougher diploma to obtain.
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