Joakim Noah ‘shut down’ by coach Thibodeau

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah has been shut down for the next week due to a lingering groin injury. Coach Tom Thibodeau talked about the team’s decision to ESPNChicago.

"“We’re going to shut Jo down,” Thibodeau said after Friday’s shootaround. “He’s got a little soreness so we want to make sure we get that taken care of. Probably another week or so but we just want to make sure he’s completely healthy before we move forward.”"

There is optimism in the locker room, but not enough to keep Noah on the court. Thibodeau is more concerned with putting a completely healthy Noah on the court rather than a 80-90% Noah out there.

"“It’s better but it’s not where we’d like it to be.” Thibodeau said. “We want it completely healthy where he’s doesn’t feel it and right now he’s still feels it so we got to take care of that. We want him to focus on the rehab right now. Just continue to put everything you have into the rehab. He’s close we’ll see where he is in a week. Because of where we are in the season too, we want to make sure that it’s completely healed.”"

Noah, an all-star center, is an asset to the Bulls when healthy. Hopefully for the Bulls, one week is all Noah needs to fully recover from his strained groin.