Joakim Noah talks about his NBA past, the day he fell in love with basketball, and compares Ja Morant to Derrick Rose

Joakim Noah, son of a legendary tennis player named Yannick, arrived in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls in 2007, being selected ninth overall in the Draft. He played there for 9 seasons, was a two-time All-Star and DPOY in 2014, the same year he also made the All-NBA First Team. He then spent two years with the New York Knicks, one with the Memphis Grizzlies, and played some games with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020 before being waived and retiring at the age of 36.

"It was always a pleasure to play at the Garden," Noah recalled to Scoop B Radio. "I think those '90s teams were very inspiring for me, and that's why I played the way I did because those were the teams I grew up watching," he commented on his signing with the New York Knicks in 2016. "Playing against the Knicks was always strange because I grew up a Knicks fan. I grew up in New York City, but Chicago is also a special place to play. Very nostalgic."

He fell in love with basketball when he saw a McDonald's All-American Game in 1997: "Michael Jordan was playing in that game, and it was an inspiring moment for me. I don't remember any standout plays from that game, but I remember Manute Bol on the court; the tallest man in NBA history. I remember Chris Mullin was also on that court. Being a 12-year-old and seeing your heroes, your superheroes, playing live," he said. "Just seeing Michael Jordan. It was very inspirational. Then I got to play for the Bulls for ten years. So, it was a cycle-closing moment for me."

He reminisced about the time he trash-talked the city of Cleveland: "I never left my hotel," he told Scoop B Radio. "And I haven't been to Cleveland since then. So, I can't tell you much about it."

Comparisons between Ja Morant and Derrick Rose

However, he acknowledged the powerhouse the Cavaliers had and revealed he was close to being LeBron James's teammate on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 but they chose Dwight Howard over him: "I tried, but they picked Dwight instead," Noah joked. "You can't beat that. I don't think so," he said. "Everything happens for a reason. They were a great team. I think LeBron James did a really good job leading that team, especially in the bubble. Whether you're away from your family or you don't have your family. I think he did a really good job."

He also compared Ja Morant to his former teammate and close friend Derrick Rose: "I think so," he said. "I see it. I see a lot of similarities. They are definitely neighborhood favorites. It's great. I think there are similarities in their explosiveness. Physically, I think D-Rose is a bit more explosive. There are definitely differences in their game."

Lastly, he spoke about the current NBA player he believes he resembles the most: "I don't think there's another Joakim," he said. "They are all different. You have similarities and certain things. But maybe Draymond. I would say. Draymond would be the closest. I think he can shoot a bit better. But I think the way he leads, the way he passes the ball, the energy I see him play with, I think those are all similarities."

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