NBA News 2016: Bulls' Center Noah Out For 4-6 Months Due To Injury; Kobe Bryant Won't Play At 2016 Olympics
Chicago Bulls mainstay big man Joakim Noah is expected to be out for the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated left shoulder.
In a report by USA Today, Noah sustained the injury during the Bulls' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Team officials had said that he was required to undergo surgery and now, a recent report from the Chicago Sun Times says that Noah is now ready for rehabilitation after undergoing the required surgery on Tuesday. He will be out for a period of four to six months.
In another report by the Chicago Sun Times, head coach Fred Hoiberg is rightfully disappointed about Noah's absence, noting how the 30-year-old professional basketball player has been a key factor in the Bulls' current NBA campaign.
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"Jo is such a passionate kid—a big-time leader of this team," Hoiberg said of his player. "So much energy. Even when he wasn't playing, he was always keeping guys, spirits up, being around here, and I know he'll continue to do that.''
Noah is currently averaging 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.6 steals, through 21.9 minutes of playing time per game. The Bulls are currently situated on the number three spot of the Eastern Conference standings, with a win-loss slate of 24-16.
As of writing, they are now in the second quarter of their game against the Golden State Warriors. They are scheduled to play against the Boston Celtics on Friday at the TD Garden in Boston.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers superstar franchise player Kobe Bryant has announced that he would not be suiting up for the United States basketball team in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In a report by NBA.com, "The Black Mamba" says he would rather have the younger players have their time to shine, branding them as "the future of this game."
He added that he has already "had his moment" and that it was time for the younger ones to "see how many gold medals they can win."
Bryant has suited up for the US Olympic Team twice, where they both won gold: the first one in 2008 in Beijing, and the second one in 2012 in London.
