Barring a setback between Monday's shootaround and the evening's tip-off, Joakim Noah will be back in the Bulls rotation against the Wizards, according to multiple reports.
Out since Dec. 21, when he injured his left shoulder against the Nets, Noah cleared a final hurdle Sunday as he played one-on-one and two-on-two after practice.
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“It feels good,’’ Noah said of his expected return (via the Chicago Sun-Times). “Just being on the bike on the side of practices for a couple of weeks, it’s as humbling as it gets for a player to be injured. I think we’ve been playing really good basketball, and I just want to help our team.’’
The Bulls have gone 7-2 in Noah's absence, and, what would have been a significant loss in the past for the Bulls has actually been somewhat of a blessing, according to the Sun-Times, allowing chest-thumping, third-person-talking rookie Bobby Portis to emerge.
“He hasn’t surprised me,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said of Portis. “I’ve said all along with Bobby, once he gets his opportunity, I’m confident he’ll go in and produce. And he’s done that."
Since getting significant playing time 11 games ago, Portis is averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
“Has he made mistakes? Sure he has — like all rookies do in this league," Hoiberg said. "But he’s making progress. He’s a willing learner. You can talk to Bobby about this as well. He’ll be the first to tell you how important it was when he was sitting out early to lean on Joakim Noah, to lean on Pau Gasol, to lean on Taj Gibson. Those are three good mentors to have in your corner.’’
Now Noah will come off the bench as part of a second unit but will have a new big man to work with, as Portis will stay in the power forward role as a key rotation player.
“Yeah, I mean, we haven’t played much together but we’ll have our chances,’’ Noah said of the new-look second group. “I’m really excited to play with the rook. He’s been a great addition for this team, just his energy and his ability. Good guy, and someone who has brought a lot to this team so far, and I’m definitely excited to play with him.’’
In the 25 games Noah has played this season, he’s averaging 22.3 minutes per game — his lowest total since his rookie season when he averaged 20.7 minutes — while scoring just 4.5 points to go with 8.8 rebounds.
