We Beating Brooklyn, Baby

I thought I'd run out of ways to describe Joakim Noah's value to the Bulls.  That's part of the reason why I didn't give him his own post again after his historic Thursday game in which he had 23 points, 21 rebounds and 11 blocks.  Not so fast.  He came to play again tonight in a 96-85 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Noah had another double-double, this one consisting of 21 points and 10 rebounds.  He decided that wasn't satisfactory, so he added five assists and four blocks.  Carlos Boozer scored 20 and recorded a career-high five steals.  Jimmy Butler had 13 and 12 points each came from Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson.  But the story once again was Noah. 

The Bulls are coming off a bad month and they needed a spark.  They had trouble with the 76ers Thursday and Noah provided the difference.  Although they played well most of the way, they had trouble closing.  Were it not for their All-Star center, a collapse might have been complete.  The way the Bulls have been slumping, somebody needed to step up and be a leader, especially with the supposed drama of Derrick Rose's injury updates.  Noah provides the most energy of anyone on the team, so it was only natural for him to assume the role.  Thanks to him, the Bulls are back ahead of the Nets for the fifth playoff spot in the East.

No time to enjoy a good start to March though.  The Bulls have to get on the road to meet the Indiana Pacers.  If they want to challenge for first in the Central again, this is a crucial game.  Maybe newly signed forward Louis Amundson will find a way in.  And hopefully, he can fill Taj Gibson's role admirably.