There's no "official" announcement, but in effect, Noah's made it clear that this year's tournament run will be his last in a Florida Gators uniform. (Fans of other SEC teams, you may begin rejoicing now.) This looks like something filmed over the past summer. Noah talks about "living the good life, going back to school," and was filmed in Brooklyn, where Noah likes to play street ball. But the key words are, "Next year when I declare for the draft... "
Draft outlook: How high will he go? Sure, for most of the year he hasn't had his '06 form, but he's really heated up lately. The Gators are poised for a potentially deep tournament run, which would only improve these odds: DraftExpress.com has him at 3 overall, NBADraft.net at 6 and ESPN's Chad Ford at 5.
What does Vitale think now? Remember Vitale's little phone-in radio show gaffe, in which he was overheard chatting with his breakfast party about how Al Horford was a better/hotter prospect than Joakim Noah? Hmmm.
There may never be a more colorful figure in college basketball than Joakim Noah. Depending on your perspective, this is either a very good or very bad thing.
Joakim Noah Is NBA-Bound
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3/12/2007 9:56 AM ET By Ryan Ferguson
Read More: Florida Basketball SEC Basketball March Madness
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Who cares, he's just another cocky ass player from Florida. I hope he does go to the NBA and falls flat on his face.
Let me guess - an Ohio State Fan? Typical comment from an overated, illogical jack ass that probably doesnt even have a college degree. Its easy to hate the Gators but we're the best and you know it!
Go Gators and Jo...you rock...as well as the rest of this well coached team...you have done all Gator fans very proud...Go get 'em where ever you go! It's awesome to be part of this Gator Nation!!! Go Gators!
Personally, I think Noah's game is more suited for the college game. A lot of the antics he gets away with now, won't fly in the pro game. At best he will be an average to mediocre professional player. He should remain in school and get his degree, he'll need it.
The kid is very good when pumped, but can be ordinary at time. I think the emotion factor rarely plays as big a role in the NBA as in college. He can be a 3-8 player on almost any team, but he isn't a lock on all-star unless he really blooms.
EVEN THOUGH I AM A KY. ALUMNI I MUST ADMIT THAT FLORIDA'S ONE TO SIX PLAYERS SHOULD GET THEM 3 TO 4 WINS IN THE TOURNEY. ALSO, GIVE ME HORFORD OVER NOAH ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
AS TO NOAH GOING TO THE NBA, HE BETTER DEVELOPE A SHOT FIRST. I HAVE YET TO SEE HIM KNOCK ONE DOWN OUTSIDE OF 10 FEET.
AS FAR AS KENTUCKY IS CONCERNED, THEY BETTER GET A COACH THAT CAN RECRUIT OR THEY WILL NEVER GET BACK TO THEIR PRIOR POSITION FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, AT THE TOP OF THE SEC.
I think he'll have to go through an adjustment period in the NBA, but will blossom into a star because of his passion. They'll likely want to beef him up a bit for the more rough 'n tumble play in the pros, maybe teach him to focus his emotions more into his playing, but I've no doubt that he'll do well at the next level.
Look at David Lee for the New York Knicks, also a former Gators. A lot said he wouldn't fare well in the pros, yet he's getting praise everyday for his play off the bench, and once he becomes a starter, I bet he'll become a bigger star.
As a Gators fan, I'll sorely miss Joakim, but wherever he goes, I'll become a fan of that NBA team, no doubt.
Noah is a very good college player, and a terrific team player. Noah may or may not be a great NBA player, we will have to wait and see. Those who criticize him are just jealous that he and the Gator's whip their ass's regulary and with ease. Great teams always get criticized this way, and so do great players. Watching this team is a pleasure, they play as a team so well that its a wonderful thing to watch. These teams dont come around that often, lets enjoy them.
God, if I see one more picture of Noah screaming I am going to puke!!
Noah is a unique player. He has charisma and he is a winner. His personality will light up the NBA. Would be a perfect fit for the Knicks, Heat (time to groom a replacement for Shaq) or Lakers. This kid has enormous potential and he is more basketball saavy than Durant and Oden.
Noah has heart and that will make him successful in the NBA. I think it would be very entertaining to see a Florida - Ohio State matchup in the tournament. A confrontation of Oden and Noah would make for a wild game! Outside of those two, I'd say Florida's team is a bit better. I'm not a fan of either team, just a fan of college hoops.
It's funny when you are the kings of the world, that people will look for any little thing to pick on. You'd have to be a complete and total moron, which obviously some of your are, to not want a hustling freakish 6' 11' forward who can run, jump and handle a ball like a point guard (which he was at a shorter time in his life). He brings excitement, enthusiasm and when motivated, uncanny skill at the college level. MVP of the final four and leader of the soon to be Back to Back national champions. C'mon folks, is that the best you can do to insult the Gators, pick on a guy who turned down millions to play in the NBA and play another year at Florida. He knows what we all know and anybody who watched this team at all over the past 2 years knows, that they will do what no one has EVER done, win back to back titles with the same starting five... that coming off the incredible never been done achievment of holding both the football and bball titles at the same time. So go ahead and pick on Noah if that's the best you can do. Face it, we got him and you WANT him. My friends, you are about to witness the most dominating run through an NCAA tournament in its history. This team is driven, focused and clearly the most talented team with the best young coach in the game...period. And that is a lethal combination that NO ONE wants to face. As soon as the brackets came out the first question every team asked is "where's Florida?" because they know if they landed in our bracket their dream is over before it began! As for that leftover hatred from any OSU fans..get over it...you're not in our league in football or bball...you're just part of a grossly overrated no offense Big Ten conference..both Ohio State and Wisconsin will be long gone by the elite eight..so everyone just grin and bear it...the GATORS will be cutting down the nets in Atlanta and there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it...it's GATOR NATION DOMINATION....Man it's GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!
I hope Joakim Noah keeps his pants zipped, stays away from drugs and the wrong side of the law.
Just play ball and get the money!!!!!
He's fine.
ok ok so i am a die hard florida fan, but dicky v was right. noah will be drafted higher, but when you wanna talk nba futures noah very much resembles a marcus camby back in the knickerbocker days. he will fire up his team, get to every lose ball and make the momentum changing plays, but as you see with camby in denver now, he is no hall of famer. now on the other hand you have horford, the mans middle name is consistensy. he will definetly be a first rounder, but probably not a top ten pick, this meaning we will get to join a much better team, probably even a playoff team. even then he would have the ability to start in his rookie year. now who does he most resemble as an nba player you ask? anybody remember the name horace grant? and we all know what he did for himself as a chicago bull. not saying horford will be a shoe-in for the hall of fame, but he has alot better chance of winning nba championships than noah, so i wouldnt mind to much if i were in horford's shoes.
I love Joakim! Happy belated birthday too! Anyway, Joakim has the heart to play in the NBA, size, well my daddy always told me to outsmart the competition, so use your head Joakim and size won't even matter. Haters will be haters, do your thing!
Personally I think that Joakim Noah has a chance at the NBA draft.He's a great team player who can really play some pro ball. My cousin plays for the NBA & he is always telling to reach for your dreams.
Joakim Noah I have some advice for you don't listen to what people say because they just want you to fall back because they know that they couldn't do it so tryin' to bring you down.
Good luck I hope you make it to the NBA.
I know you'll play good on any team you are on.
Love ya.