Joakim Noah blocks Tristan Thompson the entire duration of dunk attempt (GIF)

Bulls center Joakim Noah went up and swatted Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson’s dunk attempt all the way to the rim.

It’s been a spirited contest in Game 3 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.

The game has been physical in the paint and the two teams have been exchanging knockout blows with each other.

When it comes to a physical game and the Chicago Bulls, Joakim Noah always is involved in some capacity. He showed off his defensive prowess when he swatted Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson.

Thompson, who has emerged a physical presence for Cleveland inside, looked like he was on his way to another big dunk to set the tone.

Unfortunately for him, Noah went up and swatted his dunk.

He didn’t just swat it, either. He blocked the shot with his hand on the ball the entire duration of the dunk attempt as Thompson tried to power through the block.

The awareness by Noah to follow that block all the way through shows how smart defensively he really is. With a guy like Thompson, you have to impose your will and follow a block through to the end, or risk getting put on a poster.

There’s a reason Noah is one of the best at manning the interior paint.

(H/T: gifdsports)

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