NEWSLETTER
Fifteen years ago today, a Chicago Bulls legend was born.
Paul Pierce drove to the middle of the floor in the third OT. As he looked to send the ball into the corner, Joakim Noah was right there to bat it in the air and start the fastbreak. The Celtics’ All-Star tried to keep up, but Noah dunked it on his head, drew the whistle, and let out one of his iconic battle cries.
The seventh-seeded Bulls would win the game 128-127 and force a Game 7 against the defending champions.
Stop what you’re doing and watch the replay:
Not many moments better define the player Joakim Noah became while wearing a Bulls jersey. He was a defensive ace with relentless hustle and surprising mobility. Whether it was the first quarter or his 43rd minute of action, teammates and coaches knew Noah would give his all. And that radiated throughout the rest of the roster.
The 2008-09 Chicago Bulls may have lost Game 7, but they made their message clear. The organization was going to be a force in the Eastern Conference for years to come, and they had a dynamic duo of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to largely thank for that.
On the one nostalgic hand, I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since arguably the best first-round series in NBA history. On the other battered and bruised hand, it feels like it could have been 30 years ago. The next couple of years would supply a few more memorable moments, but the bulk of this decade and a half has been forgettable at best. I long for the days when we can replace nostalgia-filled posts with postseason breakdowns.
Until then …
