Tom Thibodeau Speaks On His Love For Joakim Noah Ahead Of Chicago Ceremony

Perhaps no team over the past 20 years has been as widely beloved in Chicago as Tom Thibodeau’s Bulls squad in the early 2010s.

The grit displayed by the likes of Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler – mixed with having a hometown MVP in Derrick Rose – led to many good memories for the city and NBA as a whole.

Unfortunately for Thibodeau’s Bulls, Rose was never the same following his ACL injury. And they could never get past LeBron James in the Eastern Conference.

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Nonetheless, Bulls fans will have fond memories of that team. And on Thursday, the Chicago Bulls will honor Joakim Noah with a special retirement ceremony with Thibodeau, Rose, and the Knicks in town.

Prior to the event, Tom Thibodeau spoke on his feelings for Joakim Noah.

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"I loved him. I fought with him. I loved him. I fought with him. And he's a dear friend now"

Tom Thibodeau reflects on his time coaching Joakim Noah (the Knicks will be in Chicago on Thursday when the Bulls will host Joakim Noah night) pic.twitter.com/JPTaQcFxzq

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 27, 2021

Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks are using a similar formula as he did with the Bulls to get back to NBA prominence. And the Bulls are riding some big offseason moves to gain respectability, as well.

Despite the fact that both Thibodeau and the Bulls have moved on to solid situations, fans will still cherish the days of Joakim Noah and the hard-nosed teams of yesteryear.

The United Center is bound to put on a great ceremony for Noah on Thursday night. And the game following should be equally as intriguing.

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