It really has been depressing to watch. Joakim Noah became such a fan favorite in Chicago. The emotional driving force of the Bulls for a number of years. An utterly relentless and passionate kid from France who didn’t care who he had to beat down in order to win. Sadly he was also a man plagued by career setbacks as well, and the worst yet may have arrived.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, word is the former Bulls and current New York Knicks center is facing a lengthy suspension for violation of the NBA anti-drug policy. It no doubt feels like a slamming into rock bottom after a long fall from where he was just a few years ago.
Insult to Injury
Sources on @TheVertical: NBA is suspending Knicks center Joakim Noah 20 games for violation of anti-drug policy. https://t.co/g7Fin3i8yg
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) March 25, 2017
“The NBA is suspending New York Knicks center Joakim Noah 20 games for violating its anti-drug program, league sources told The Vertical.
The NBA plans to announce the suspension on Saturday, league sources said.
Noah tested positive for an over-the-counter supplement that is prohibited under the outgoing Collective Bargaining Agreement, league sources said.
Noah, 32, is expected to serve 10 games of the suspension to finish out the 2016-17 regular season and 10 games to start the 2017-18 season, league sources said.”
Noah reached his peak in Chicago between 2012 and 2014. During that span he was a two-time All-Star and averaged a double-double in points and rebounds. Not to mention being one of the best defensive centers in the league. Soon injuries began to pile up though. By 2016 he could barely manage 21 minutes per game and wasn’t nearly as productive. He’d hope for a fresh start in New York, but things haven’t been much better.
Now this. It’s never easy to watch once-great players finish out the string of a career that is clearly over. Here’s hoping he might be able to go out on a high note.
