Joakim Noah’s Conditioning Is “Not Very Good”

Oct 21, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) sits on the bench during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah are “not very” close to returning. The Noah news is much more important than the Hinrich news, no offense to Kirk. So, in theory, Thibodeau went on to elaborate on his starting center.

"[via Chicago Tribune]Asked specifically about the conditioning of Noah, who has played just 19 minutes, 45 seconds all camp due to a sore groin, Thibodeau said, “it’s not very good.” This would place Noah’s availability for the Oct. 29 regular-season opener in Miami in jeopardy….“It’s possible,” Noah said. “But I’m not there yet. In my mind, I’m playing. I want to be out there as soon as I can. We’ll see when that is.”"

Even though I have a hard time believing that Noah would sit out the opener against Miami, it kind of seems out of his hands. Maybe, if conditioning is the only problem or setback, he might see a restricted role in terms of minutes but I just can’t see him sitting out completely.

Hinrich has been sidelined by a concussion, which he suffered last Friday, and Noah has been battling a groin injury. The good news for Bulls fans is that Jimmy Butler (knee soreness) is scheduled to return tonight after missing a week and a half.