Consistency, Rest Keys to Noah’s Success
In the immediate aftermath of Joakim Noah’s finest night as a professional, the night the big man scored a career-high 30 points, grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds, dished out six assists, blocked two shots and picked up two steals, Tom Thibodeau managed to both praise and challenge his center in a matter of moments.
“Just be consistent,” Thibodeau said. “Come back the next night and do it again. Just keep growing, play hard every play. I felt he did all the things necessary and needed in that game. I thought we were flat, (he) gave us great energy, multiple effort, scored, play-maked, played great defense, was a leader. He has to do it every night, though.”
As if on cue, an exhausted looking Noah went out Saturday night against the New York Knicks and scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and turned the ball over nine times — the type of near triple double that no player or coach wants to see.
That’s why Deng has been staying on Noah all season in regards to getting his rest between games.
“You definitely feel it,” Noah said of all the minutes. “It’s no joke, man. You just have to be more conscious about of what’s going on around you. You have to be more conscious about taking care of your body. That’s all.”
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