Florida Gators in the NBA: Joakim Noah Continues Tear, Notches Triple-Double

Apr 9, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts to a call in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Bulls defeated the Wolves 102-87. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

The playoff push is on for some Florida Gators playing in the NBA. Joakim Noah continues to put together an MVP caliber season with another triple double. Eight of the 12 Gator greats currently sit in playoff position, with two more knocking on the door. Here’s how they fared this past week.

Bradley Beal (2011-2012), Washington Wizards
Beal erupted for 28 points, five rebounds, and two steals in last Wednesday’s win at the New York Knicks. He was held relatively quiet with 14 and eight points in the two other games the Wizards played this week, both losses. Beal averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 boards, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals over the past week.

Matt Bonner (1999-2003), San Antonio Spurs
Bonner’s Spurs are inching closer and closer to grabbing home court throughout the playoffs and he’s contributing again after missing eight games. Bonner returned Sunday and notched just one rebound and one assist. But in his second game, Bonner scored 11 points, three boards, and two dimes in 20 minutes. He did not play Thursday in a win over Dallas.

Corey Brewer (2004-2007), Minnesota Timberwolves
Brewer nearly mirrored his season averages this week with 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3.5 steals. Minnesota will be missing the playoffs this year as they currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, eight games out of the final spot with only four games to play.

Nick Calathes (2007-2009), Memphis Grizzlies
Calathes continues to proved quality backup point guard minutes as the Grizzlies battle for the final playoff spot. This past week, Calathes averaged 3.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 14 minutes per game. The Grizz are currently one game out of the playoffs with four games remaining.

Mike Miller (1998-2000), Memphis Grizzlies
Miller has had a tough week when it comes to his stat line. He was shut out from scoring in two games, putting up only two points. Miller had five total rebounds and five total assists.

Udonis Haslem (1998-2002), Miami Heat
Haslem played at least 27 minutes in the two games he was able to play in this week. But a stomach virus kept him out of the Heat’s last two games. For those two games, Haslem averaged 8 points and 9.5 rebounds with two assists and two blocks over the same span.

Al Horford (2004-2007), Atlanta Hawks
Horford is out for the rest of the year after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his right pectoral muscle. His Hawks look like they’ll be heading to the playoffs in the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

David Lee (2001-2005), Golden State Warriors
Lee has nerve damage in his hamstring and hasn’t played for the past seven games. It’s unknown when he will return, but he’s hoping for a return in the playoffs. The Warrior are one of four teams battling for three spots in the West. They’re currently two games up over the ninth place team, the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marreese Speights (2006-2008), Golden State Warriors
Speights put up a double-double Friday versus the Sacramento Kings in a win Golden State needed. He scored 12 points with 10 rebounds coming off the bench. Speights averaged 9.7 points and six rebounds over the past week with Lee out of the lineup.

Erik Murphy (2009-2013), Utah Jazz
The Chicago Bulls released Murphy last Thursday and the Utah Jazz picked him up on the waiver wire. He has yet to play for his new team.

Joakim Noah (2004-2007), Chicago Bulls
Noah continued his breakout season with another triple-double Wednesday at Minnesota. He notched 15 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and a steal. In three games over the past week, Noah averaged 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and a block and a steal per game.

Chandler Parsons (2007-2011), Houston Rockets
Parsons minutes are starting to decline as the Rockets prepare for the playoffs. He averaged 18.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in 34. 5 minutes.

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