Noah Out TEN WEEKS!!!!

[Kane3387]

Sucks for Chicago.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/15/joakim-noah-reportedly-will-have-thumb-surgery-may-be-out-10-we/

[Megatron]

Thats huge, their frontcourt is now terribly undersized.

[snively]

Talk about out of the blue.  Arguably Chicago's best player: will really hurt them.

[Fafnir]

I read that they were worried this might be the case.

This is a killer injury for Chicago, they're going to struggle to defend anyone in the paint now with just Boozer/Asik/Gibson. If they fall to the 6th or lower seed because of this it will be a real disadvantage to one of the top 3 seeds.

I still think they'll end up 5th or higher....

[GreenEnvy]

While I never like seeing players get injured, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Time to see how important he really is.

Does this clear the way for Shaq to make the All-Star game?

[guava_wrench]

Fortunately for them their division is weak. Are the Pacers the closest thing to a challenger?

Hopefully the injury isn't so bad it forces him to change his textbook jumper form. His form reminds me of Ray Allen at the line.

[Who]

Major loss for their defense.

With Boozer there now though the Bulls should still be able to play at a +.500 pace without Noah. Say a 45 win pace.

Taj Gibson is going to prove how valuable he is the Bulls once again. Stick Gibson at the four and let Boozer play the five. Hopefully the Bulls pay attention and realize his value to the team.

It might be worth starting Asik or K.Thomas on some occasions also.

[Megatron]

10 weeks?

Looks like SHAQ is making the all-star team

[Donoghus]

Tough loss for the Bulls.

[barefacedmonk]

Nba.com is reporting 8 weeks...but yeah, major loss for the Bulls.

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was scheduled to have surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and is expected to take at least eight weeks to recover.

Besides the torn ligament in his thumb, Noah also has sprained ligaments in the middle finger and index finger on his right hand. Those injuries do not require surgery.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/12/15/noah-surgery.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

[pearljammer10]

Major drag dude. There goes my fantasy team.

[barefacedmonk]

I'm curious to see if Asik's gameplay will improve now with more minutes...will be nice to compare him and Semih since they'll be in very similar situations.

[snively]

Would love for them to fall low enough to face Miami in the 1st round.  They could really cause a lot of problems for the Heat.

[barefacedmonk]

Would love for them to fall low enough to face Miami in the 1st round.  They could really cause a lot of problems for the Heat.

It would make for a very entertaining and competitive series.

[snively]

I'm curious to see if Asik's gameplay will improve now with more minutes...will be nice to compare him and Semih since they'll be in very similar situations.

Asik has had a lot of the same problems as Semih so far.  Too weak, skinny and earthbound.  Slightly slower feet.  Much better hands and length though.  Makes him a better rebounder than Semih and more intimidating in the paint.