Grading the Bulls: Joakim Noah

" The 2011-2012 season marked the first that Joakim Noah would be playing under his five year, $60 million contract. When players sign deals like that, their performance can often suffer under the weight of expectations.

Noah was no different.

From the Christmas day season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers to January 20th game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Noah scored in double figures just four times in the Bulls first 17 games. But Noah seemed to find the fire and energy that fans have come to love him for and it propelled him to having a very strong 2011-2012 NBA campaign.

His slow start almost certainly hurt his All-Star chances during a condensed season, but with injuries to Forward Luol Deng and Point Guard Derrick Rose, Noah raised his level of play and certainly performed like an All-Star for the Chicago Bulls this season.

He registered a season high 18 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers during a home game in March --- a game in which the Bulls won. His best all-around effort may have been his 20 point, 17 rebound performance at home against the Detroit Pistons, with 13 of those boards coming on the offensive glass, a season high. "

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