Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah said the reason his numbers have been down is due to the pressure of playing with high expectations since he signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension in 2010.
“Sometimes you feel like because you’re given so much money you’re expected to do things,” Noah said. “That’s not the right mentality to have as a player. I have to play my game. I have to have fun out there. If I don’t, I’m not the same player.”
Noah is just now feeling the pressure because this season is the first year of the five-year extension. He has noticeably been playing the game differently, as if he no longer has passion for basketball.
Noah’s numbers have been down across the board. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 48 games. This year he is averaging 8.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 22 games. Noah’s field goal percentage is also down from .525 to .477. He has picked up his...
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