Why Joakim Noah Rules and Why You're Prejudice and Close Minded for Dismissing Him

I spent the night before NBA Draft day and the entire day of Draft day hoping the Chicago Bulls wouldn't choose the amazingly unimpressive Spencer Hawes (C, Washington).

My primary choice for the Bulls was either: a- Joakim Noah (F, Florida) or b- Anyone but Hawes. The rationale was and is quite simple, really. Why draft someone who didn't succeed on a team or individual level in college (Hawes) over someone who dominated on a team and individual level in college (Noah, Noah, Noah)? Where is the sense in that?!

But John Paxson and I think alike, and he decided to make my night by drafting Noah. And upon that selection, my guests and I cheered the brilliance of the pick.

Surprisingly, after the Bulls made the selection, I got call after call from my friends, absolutely killing Pax for his "idiotic," "moronic," "ridiculous," and "b.s." move.

Here is a current away message...
PrObLyMaNy: eat sh-- a--f--- noah

And some IMs...
APerformS (1:56:53 AM): F'in noah
APerformS (1:57:05 AM): out of like 1000000
APerformS (1:57:22 AM): i hate noah
APerformS (1:57:35 AM): he is more over rated then michael vick
APerformS (1:57:42 AM): and less talent than me
APerformS (1:58:22 AM): but more so completely ignoring my contempt for noah
APerformS (1:58:31 AM): why do the bulls need him?
APerformS (1:58:40 AM): isnt he a mexican version of ben wallace?

That last IM sums it up perfectly. This is all just a case of general ignorance.

Most people, when asked why they don't like Noah, usually say close minded things like, "I hate the way he dances" or "His long hair is stupid" or "He thinks he's soooo great."

Well, he dances because he wins conference championships and NCAA titles, he has long hair because he defies petty social norms, and he thinks he's great because he has every desire to be great, and at this point, nothing has stood in his way from fulfilling that desire.

He's more than what you hear. Leading up to the draft, the one word I heard used more than any was the word "energy," and don't get me wrong, that's a pretty accurate word in describing his play, but I think he brings more to the table than that. He brings flair. He brings personality. He brings the right attitude.

I can't wait for the Joakim-era to start in Chicago. I hope the local media understands him for who he is -- a pensive, dedicated, and passionate young player who is looking to do everything he can to help his team win. And trust me, these aren't cliches. His quotes are going to be memorable, colorful, and hilarious, and his play should amplify his already present passion.

I'll end this with a call-out to the haters; why do you dislike Noah? I'd like some legitimate and real reasons. Nothing fake, nothing about dancing or hair. You know, maybe something about the way he plays basketball? And finally, if you're so against the pick, who would you have drafted in his place?

Oh, And Also...
Major props to Wilson Chandler (DePaul), Sammy Mejia (DePaul), and Adam Haluska (Iowa) for getting drafted tonight. Congrats, guys.

He Gone of the Moment: Wilson Chandler

I'm a pretty superstitious guy, so when Friday the 13th comes around, I like to be as careful as I can. Fortunately, from a sporting sense, I'm not sure what else could go wrong. Wednesday, Drew Bledsoe retired, and now, I find out that Thursday, DePaul forward Wilson Chandler declared for the NBA Draft.

(via AP): CHICAGO -- DePaul sophomore Wilson Chandler said Thursday that he intends to declare for the NBA draft.

Chandler said he studied his options with his family and coach Jerry Wainwright, and he decided that going into the NBA was the best decision.

The 6-foot-8 forward led DePaul in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. Chandler also led the Blue Demons with 47 blocks last season.

DePaul had a 20-win season and made the quarterfinals
of the NIT.

If it's a family/money thing, you can't really fault Chandler for his decision, but obviously this is a near fatal shot to DePaul's 2007-2008 campaign. I'm not sure if Chandler has hired an agent or not, but I'm assuming he's as good as gone.

If Chandler was already the man this year, he was going to be theee man next year after the departure of senior guard Sammy Mejia.

A great athlete, dunker, defender, and occasional three-point shooter, Chandler's brand of basketball was a hell of a lot of fun to watch. He always sucked me into DePaul games. I always thought he was good enough to go to the NBA after this season, but I hoped the lack of media attention on the Blue Demons combined with Jerry Wainwright's Top 25 recruiting class (currently ranked #12 at rivals.com) would be enough to keep Chandler in Chicago.

Guess not.

Looking onto a Chandler-less '07-'08 season, there are a few positives, including incoming five-star shooting guard (Darquavius Tucker), four-star power forward (Nayal Koshwal), and a few three-star guys as well. Also, I'm not totally sure on this, but I think Wainwright is bringing in a JuCo player or two, and from what I heard, he/they are supposed to be pretty talented. But aren't they all?

With Mejia and Chandler gone, this squad turns into Draelon Burns' team. Burns, heading into his senior year, will have enough talent to at least make a run at DePaul's first NCAA Tournament birth since 2004. Would I fault them if they came up short? Not after losing Chandler. His versatility will be missed.

RIP Wilson Chandler's Collegiate Career (2005-2007) ... He Gone.