The Chicago Bulls took advantage of the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers were missing some key players early in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but they ultimately came up short. Joakim Noah in unhappy with not only the way he played in the series, but also the entire season.
“I definitely have to play better than I did this year,” Noah said after Chicago’s blowout loss in Game 6, via Chuck Garfien of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “I’m disappointed about that.”
Noah scored just four points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 6. He averaged 5.8 points during the playoffs after scoring 7.2 points per game during the regular season — his lowest total in six years.
Part of the reason for Noah’s struggles had to do with a surgically-repaired knee that bothered him all season.
“I went through a lot this year,” he said when asked about the injury. “It wasn’t easy. But, if anything, it’s going to make me stronger.”
Losing Game 4 and Game 5 by a combined seven points had to have been devastating for the Bulls. To make matters worse for Noah, he had to play three games in a city that he so blatantly despises. His opinion certainly isn’t going to change after what a fan supposedly did to him after Game 2.
