Former Florida Gator Joakim Noah Proves to be Rebounding Machine for Chicago Bulls
Jan 2, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) and Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) fight for a ball during the 2nd half at the United Center. The Bulls won 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah had an interesting past two games in which he rebounded more than he scored. However, he put the ball through the basket just enough to earn two more double-doubles and lead his Bulls to two much-needed wins over Al Horford-less Atlanta and Phoenix. Here’s how the twelve former Gators fared this week:
Bradley Beal (2011-2012), Washington Wizards
Beal had one of his best games almost two months after his knee injury. During Tuesday’s win over Charlotte, he led Washington with 21 points, his highest total since returning from the injury Dec. 16. He also played 31 minutes, the most since before the injury sidelined him on Nov. 23. During the Wizards’ other three games, he averaged 12.6 points in 27.7 minutes.
Matt Bonner (1999-2003), San Antonio Spurs
Bonner came off the bench during a successful three-win week for the Spurs, scoring five points and rebounding six times in 30 minutes on the floor.
Corey Brewer (2004-2007), Minnesota Timberwolves
In a 1-2 week for the Timberwolves, Brewer scored 15 points in each game and added eight rebounds and five assists in 105 minutes.
Nick Calathes (2007-2009), Memphis Grizzlies
Calathes came off the bench on all three Grizzlies contests this week to total four points and six assists in 28 minutes.
Mike Miller (1998-2000), Memphis Grizzlies
In Friday’s loss at Denver, Miller came off the bench and narrowly missed what would have been the game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer. The ball hit the back of the rim and bounced out. In the three games he played, he contributed 11 points and six assists in 58 minutes.
Udonis Haslem (1998-2002), Miami Heat
Haslem did not play 3 of 5 Heat games this week due to a coach’s decision. In the two wins where he did see the floor, he came off the bench to score six points and rebound six times in 16 minutes.
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.
David Lee (2001-2005), Golden State Warriors
Lee had another dominant four games for the Warriors. He added double-doubles 21 and 22 to his season stats, led both Golden State and the opposing team twice in points and rebounds and was awarded Western Conference Player of the Week honors on Monday.
Marreese Speights (2006-2008), Golden State Warriors
As a bench player, Speights helped guide Golden State to a 3-1 record this week and their longest winning streak since the 1975-76 season, which was broken in their four-point loss to Brooklyn Wednesday. Speights played 41 minutes and scored 23 points.
Erik Murphy (2009-2013), Chicago Bulls
Murphy was kept out of both Bulls games this week due to a coach’s decision.
Joakim Noah (2004-2007), Chicago Bulls
In Chicago’s two wins, Noah led both his own team plus Atlanta and Phoenix in rebounds and added two more double-doubles to his resume. He played 70 minutes, scoring 24 points and totaling 28 rebounds.
Chandler Parsons (2007-2011), Houston Rockets
Parsons and the Rockets broke a two-game losing streak in their 102-100 win over the Knicks on Friday, a game in which Parsons played 44 minutes and earned a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. However, he was held out of Wednesday’s game versus the Lakers due to a sore right knee.
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