a écrit le 4 avril 2006 à 20h13 Of course, he could add some polish by staying in college another year. That could be said of every player in the history of basketball. But his apprenticeship at the college level is over.
When Magic and Isiah won the NCAA tournament, it was time to go . . . and they went. They certainly weren't finished products, but their work on the amateur level was done. This isn't to suggest Noah will ever have the impact in pro ball of Magic and Isiah, with seven NBA championships between them. But winning this title means that it's time to try the next level.
With more than a minute to play in the first half Monday night, Noah had set a new record for shots blocked in a championship game. He recorded five of his six blocked shots in those first 20 minutes. He caused two traveling violations when Bruins shuffled their feet to get away from him rather than having their shots blocked. So, it could have been seven. He had two assists, but that number doesn't take into account how quickly and decisively he tossed the ball into the post in order for Al Horford to make a move or Corey Brewer to get his feet set before getting off a jumper.
When he wasn't blocking shots, or making Bruins travel, Noah was rebounding. And when he wasn't grabbing the ball off the glass, he was setting screens, or if not that then screaming encouragement at his teammates. He's all scowls and frowns and exultation, this kid. Even the kid's face is into the game.
How do you think the New York Knicks are feeling right now? They'll have a good shot at winning the draft lottery -- and the Chicago Bulls own their pick. Would you not want a kid who on the eve of the NCAA championship game says he can't wait to get back to the Rucker League games this summer to work on his game?
It doesn't matter that nobody even knew who Noah was a month ago; we know him now. We know now that he can put the ball between his legs and behind his back and handle it in traffic like a small forward when the mood suits him or when the guards aren't available. We know now he can jump two or three times for a ball coming off the rim while his opponent is gathering and bracing himself to jump just once.
Noah wasn't the only Florida player who played well Monday night. Brewer continually sneaked up behind UCLA ballhandlers and either picked them clean (three times) or disrupted the Bruins' offense. Horford (14 points, seven rebounds) formed a nice double-team around the basket with Noah and th
When Magic and Isiah won the NCAA tournament, it was time to go . . . and they went. They certainly weren't finished products, but their work on the amateur level was done. This isn't to suggest Noah will ever have the impact in pro ball of Magic and Isiah, with seven NBA championships between them. But winning this title means that it's time to try the next level.
With more than a minute to play in the first half Monday night, Noah had set a new record for shots blocked in a championship game. He recorded five of his six blocked shots in those first 20 minutes. He caused two traveling violations when Bruins shuffled their feet to get away from him rather than having their shots blocked. So, it could have been seven. He had two assists, but that number doesn't take into account how quickly and decisively he tossed the ball into the post in order for Al Horford to make a move or Corey Brewer to get his feet set before getting off a jumper.
When he wasn't blocking shots, or making Bruins travel, Noah was rebounding. And when he wasn't grabbing the ball off the glass, he was setting screens, or if not that then screaming encouragement at his teammates. He's all scowls and frowns and exultation, this kid. Even the kid's face is into the game.
How do you think the New York Knicks are feeling right now? They'll have a good shot at winning the draft lottery -- and the Chicago Bulls own their pick. Would you not want a kid who on the eve of the NCAA championship game says he can't wait to get back to the Rucker League games this summer to work on his game?
It doesn't matter that nobody even knew who Noah was a month ago; we know him now. We know now that he can put the ball between his legs and behind his back and handle it in traffic like a small forward when the mood suits him or when the guards aren't available. We know now he can jump two or three times for a ball coming off the rim while his opponent is gathering and bracing himself to jump just once.
Noah wasn't the only Florida player who played well Monday night. Brewer continually sneaked up behind UCLA ballhandlers and either picked them clean (three times) or disrupted the Bruins' offense. Horford (14 points, seven rebounds) formed a nice double-team around the basket with Noah and th
