In response to:
Skiles thinks Noah should shut up
After Joakim Noah played his first NBA game -- that pathetic home loss to the Clippers where the Bulls were outscored 12-2 down the stretch because Cuttino Mobley and Corey Maggette bombed the snot out of a team that didn't have the brains or effort to stop them -- the rookie said, "I think everybody, like, is in their own world. That's what I would say. On defense, you have to get together. I didn't feel we did that." Noah told the truth. But apparently, Bulls coach Scott Skiles can't handle the truth. Or at least, can't handle the truth from a rookie. "If I had just played my first pro game," Skiles said the next day, "I'd probably keep my mouth shut, to be honest with you. It's obvious we're not playing to our ability. There's no doubt about that. I may have a little problem with the phrasing of that, but the point is probably spot-on. But it probably should be somebody else speaking for the group."
By a show of hands, who did not see this one coming? Seriously, I understand that Scott Skiles in an old-school gymrat. He was one of the contributing players of the O'Neal, Hardaway, and Anderson Orlando Magic squads but that same attitude that made him a gutsy bomber is going to alienate him and his team as a coach.
Joakim Noah is a truth teller. This is a guy that tells it like it is. A lot of people do not like that (Scott Skiles, being one apparently) but he's a guy who does not hold his tongue and gives it to you straight. People might say that his swagger is inappropriate and that will make him a lot more enemies than fans in the long run but instead of criticizing your new rookie, Scott should be encouraging him. The Bulls are 1 and 2 (Thanks to beating the Pistons last night) and are in need of players that will challenge and play with heart. Joakim Noah can be that guy, but he needs Scott Skiles to stop acting like the star that never was and more like the great coach he can be.
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I never really liked Noah from the beginning. Good blog
Denis24
Fort Wayne, IN
Total Comments (2187)
Agreed,
I'm not a fan of Noah but if he told the truth, then why is Scotty, complaining. The problem is the Bulls don't have a leader. Not even their coach for blasting his rookie in the media.
SoFlaBoy
Lake Worth , FL
Total Comments (1688)
Well put, SoFlaBoy. The Bulls are going to be in a long and rough season whether the Kobe deal happens or not, based off of actions like this.
J. HOVA: THE RETURN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (14271)
I don't feel that Skiles overreacted here at all. He basically said that Noah was correct, but that he, as a rookie, should not be the one to speak upon the matter to the media. There are some things that players shouldn't say to the media, and what Noah said is one of them. I think most coaches in the league would have reacted the same way.
PeavyFan:…
Chula Vista , CA
Total Comments (3789)
i think skiles needs to shut up... honestly, he's a good coach, and was a good player (how else do you get 30 assists in one game?), but he needs to let the TRUTH come out..
thehemogoblin: back…
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29729)
skiles runs the show and should address the media not Noah.Noah is an arrogant rookie that needs to learn to keep his mouth shut,period.Skiles is responsible for his team and can get the axe if it doesn't produce wins,not Noah.
Rada4life
Total Comments (468)
The difference between what Skiles said to the media and what Noah said to the media is that Skiles called out Noah by name, and Noah named no one in particular. Now a rookie shouldn't be publicly bad-mouthing his teammates generally or specifically, but Skiles should have discussed this with Noah privately and asked him to apologize to his teammates. There are enough distractions in Chicago right now.
I have been impressed with Noah's energy and I think he will be in the league a long time. I don't know why people dislike him so much. Is it the hair??
Sidenote: During KG's first season, Christian Laettner told the media that some of the kids on the team need to shut up. Laettner was traded to the Hawks less than a week later.
MnBias
Total Comments (144)
I think it's just the fact that Jokekim Noah is a rookie. Its ok if the coach or some veteran player calls out the team defense, but not a rookie. Noah might be outspoken and totally honest but he's in the NBA and needs to learn when to defer over to his veteran teammates and not talk
badgerfan07
Whitewater , WI
Total Comments (1517)
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