Taj Gibson recorded nine points (4-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, and one assist in 30 minutes during the Chicago Bulls ' 83-77 loss to the Mavericks on Friday.
The outlook for Noah seems very bleak and at the very least he will miss much more time than he did with the first shoulder injury.
The good news for Bulls fans is that without Noah this season, the Bulls have gone 8-2 and have played really well as a team. And with Rose scoring 25 points in that game while Gasol added in 18 points of his own, the Mavericks know they can't simply lock in on Butler as both are expected to return to the Chicago lineup.
They'll need to come up big to overcome the emotional hangover of losing a teammate as popular as Noah, who is working with his representatives to determine which doctor will perform the surgery that will sideline him four to six months. Midwest Orthopedics determined that Joakim Noah would have to undergo surgery.
The Bulls are focused on adjusting to life without Noah for the remainder of the season. While Noah will not be back this year, his leadership could still provide value for next year.
Noah is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and since it looks like the Bulls are headed in a different direction he likely will be playing elsewhere next year.
"I wasn't expecting to play such a limited role", Noah said.
The guy that brings a substantial amount of energy and rebounding moxie would not be out for a couple of weeks this time with a shoulder injury, as was the case in late December and early January.
He and Pau Gasol give the Bulls two big men who can work against Dirk Nowitzki on the perimeter. Yes, Joakim Noah the NBA's best center.
"This team, we've been dealing with a lot of adversity over the years", said Noah.
Noah came off the Bulls' bench for 27 of the 29 games he played this season, but was still a huge part of the team.
Maybe not even the sustained, but short circuited success of the first great Bulls team with Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, Bob, Love, Chet Walker and Tom Boerwinkle.
Spurs spurt past James & Company to improve to 23-0 at home
Instead of folding on defense in the fourth period as they did past year , San Antonio rallied in the final quarter on Thursday. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out six assists for a Chicago team without centre Pau Gasol and guard Derrick Rose.
Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah to Miss Four to Six Months
