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Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: We’re not mad, we’re just disappointed and sad

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 13, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) leaves the court after losing to the Utah Jazz 109-92 at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) leaves the court after losing to the Utah Jazz 109-92 at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Joakim Noah, missing in action

by Kevin Yeung (@KevinHFY) — Hardwood Paroxysm

It feels almost crazy to think that Joakim Noah finished 4th in MVP voting last season, doesn’t it? A year later, look where we are: with Tom Thibodeau having to deny any plans of benching Noah after Game 2, and then not playing him a minute in the fourth quarter in Game 3 after he shot 1-for-8 through the first three quarters.

Noah has been rendered totally ineffective on the court, made into a weak link to be exploited by the Bulls’ opponents. The Cavaliers barely mind Noah at all, with his matchup (often Timofey Mozgov) playing rover on the court and stuffing drives from Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. Sometimes the Cavs go as far as defending Noah with a wing when they go small, something the Milwaukee Bucks also did during the first round.

The problem: Noah hasn’t been able to make anyone pay for going small. The Cavs are daring Noah to beat them, and he’s losing. In the playoffs, Noah is averaging just 5.9 points on a .405 field goal percentage and a .278 free throw percentage (granted, he’s barely getting to the line at all) – all postseason career-lows in the postseason. He’s blowing semi-open layups, shooting a lowly .420 from within three feet of the rim and has no range. When defenses help off him, Noah can’t even attack the open lane and finish a layup against a scrambling defense.

Because of that, Thibodeau has been the one to have to alter his rotation, going to the rangy Nikola Mirotic over Noah more often. It’s been a disappointing fall from grace for a player that was a flurry of rebounding, cutting and dishing activity from last season. Noah used to be unpredictable, liable to do anything at any time. More recently, his contributions have been a whole lot of nothing.

Next: #WeTheNorth Went South on the Toronto Raptors

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