Rumors

NBA Courtside: Joakim Noah says the developmental system in the United States is a ‘complete mess’ right now compared to international: “The Europe style is less about the superstar. It’s less about the individual. It’s about trying to win as a team. I just feel the development is completely different right now in the states. It’s a lot about capitalism at the highest level. Even the kids are getting paid NIL deals and things like that. It’s a complete mess in the U.S. right now” (Via @TheHoopGenius)

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What do you think is the reason for the recent success of international players in the league? Joakim Noah: I think the Europe style is less about the superstar. It's less about individual, it's about growing up as a team, trying to win as a team. I just feel like the development is just completely different. Right now in the States, it's a lot about capitalism at its highest level. So even the kids are getting paid with NIL deals and things like that. So it's a complete mess in the US right now. Basketball is becoming like an elite sport. You see less kids from the neighborhood because it is an education and it is a lot to learn to be able to play at the highest level. You have to have good coaching but I think Europe is doing a great job and it's it's just changing the whole league. All the best players are coming from Europe.

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Joakim Noah: I had a poster of Kevin Garnett growing up. So, I had his jersey and I remember one of my first games in the NBA. I told him I was like, ‘KG, you know, you're one of my favorite players. You think, you know, we can talk after the game? I have a few questions for you.’ He was like, ‘why are you talking to me, rookie? Don't talk to me.’ And he would start talking loud. It was it was bad. He really embarrassed me in front of 25,000 people in the arena. And it's been on ever since. So, the trash talk definitely helped me. It helped me realize that there's no love during competition. Don't try to be friendly with opponents during competition. So, it was a real learning moment for me. And then when my career was over, we were able to talk to each other on a podcast and just squash the I mean beef is a strong word. I wouldn't say beef, but the rivalry.

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Oh No He Didn't: Joakim Noah on Victor Wembanyama: "His ceiling is unlimited. It's just a matter of time before he takes over this league"

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Joakim Noah: What have I learned after all this? I came here looking for a better understanding of something I always knew and was always drawn to. I wanted to know more about that will to compete at all costs. The never giving up. The caring about your teammates, the not caring about the individual accolades, doing it together as a team. I found it in a word I kept hearing over and over: Inat. Inat defined the Serbian resilience. For a basketball player, it means to never back down and to thrive playing with your back against the wall. It is in the way this city carries its history with its head held high. It is in the way a kid on a concrete court plays like his life depends on it. I am leaving Belgrade with a different perspective than when I arrived because this is the point of the journey.

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K.C. Johnson: Joakim Noah on @CHSN__ broadcast to @Adam Amin and @Stacey King: "We all had a brotherhood. And it was real." Said that's why so many players showed up. Also said last night's reminiscing went into the, shall we say, wee hours

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K.C. Johnson: There are sooooo many teammates back for Derrick Rose. Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, Ben Gordon, Kyle Korver, Kurt Thomas, Brad Miller, Thabo Sefolosha, Tyrus Thomas, Richard Hamilton, Aaron Gray and more. And Tom Thibodeau is in the house as well. Kirk Hinrich, James Johnson, Drew Gooden too. Also saw Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner here

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Drew Hill: Marc Gasol and Joakim Noah among former Grizz in the house in Berlin.

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Chicago Bulls: Coby White has now passed Joakim Noah for 14th on the Bulls all-time assists leaderboard with 6 assists so far tonight.

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Joakim Noah: “I think the guys are just definitely better at basketball. You know, it’s—the game is completely different obviously with the spacing, but I don’t think that that makes it worse. Yeah. You know, I just—I grew up a Knicks fan, so I watch you guys run and just know it—for me personally, it was a tough experience for me to come back home and play. It didn’t go as I—as I wanted. But to watch you guys do what you guys did last year was just so fun to watch.”

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KC Johnson: Billy Donovan very humble and eloquent in his Hall of Fame speech, thanking Bulls personnel and saving special words for his presenters Rick Pitino and Maurice Cheeks. Also shouted out Joakim Noah, who is in attendance, and the back-to-back national champion Florida teams.

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Bulls on CHSN: “I love him, and it’s so much bigger than just winning and losing.” Joakim Noah on returning to Chicago and seeing his college coach leading the Bulls 🥹

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Mike Vorkunov: The Bucks decided to waive-and-stretch the $112.6 million owed to Damian Lillard. That's not only the largest stretch-waive ever in NBA history, it's more than the total sum of the 3 previous largest stretch-waive contracts I could find (Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Nic Batum)

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One of the first shows to debut from the new company will be a travel series fronted by former NBA all-star Joakim Noah, who will travel around the world to explore how basketball is played in local communities.

The Hollywood Reporter