Dec. 02--Joakim Noah used an expletive to describe how he has played in some games this season. And yet he's an energy player who thrives on gobbling minutes for his rhythm to take hold.
Such a dynamic is a fine line to walk for a new coach who also is trying to keep a four-man rotation of viable big men happy, never mind the promising first-round pick who is rooted to the bench.
Fred Hoiberg understands this, which is why he had a ready answer after Tuesday's practice when asked how to keep Noah confident in light of Noah's near triple-double in 23 minutes of Monday's victory against the Spurs.
"We've talked about this all along: The biggest issue with us as coaches is going to be our rotations," Hoiberg said. "It's not easy because we've got a lot of guys who can be effective. It's going to be different on different nights depending on who has it going. We'll try to do the best job we can to get the right combinations on the floor, especially at the end of the games."
Noah is a proud player. He doesn't like coming off the bench. He likes even less that he's averaging just 20 minutes, 33 seconds per game and not always finishing games. And he likes least of all that he had to clarify an erroneous storyline that he asked Hoiberg for his new role.
But Noah has been consistent with what he reiterated Tuesday: "It's an adjustment, but if it helps our team, I'm for it."
It's a tough position at times: Noah needs minutes to find his rhythm but sometimes hasn't played well enough to receive more minutes.
"I want to play the whole game. I never want to come out," he said. "But I understand this is my role now and I have to accept it and be the best that I can with what I have.
"I'm not going to lie and say there hasn't been a lot going on this season. There's been a lot of adversity for me. I have to be better at being a good leader for this team."
Hoiberg said he decided over the summer to change Noah's role after watching film of every game from last season.
"Looked at the numbers for all the different combinations and then you make the decision you feel is best for the team and try to get your guys to buy in," Hoiberg said. "We've had 15 games to this point and we've had different lineups out there to finish games a lot of those nights. It's probably going to continue to be that way."
All of this doesn't even account for this being a contract year for Noah and the time and energy he put into getting healthier. Noah, who had a piece of cartilage removed from his left knee in May 2014, rejected the notion that reduced minutes could be good for him at this stage of his career.
"No, I feel great," he said. "Feel like I'm moving well and I feel healthy."
Noah said he won't talk contract or future but pondered a question about how he blocks those out with a reduced role.
"How do you? Right now, I don't have a choice," he said. "I'm just focused on my improvement. It's all I can do. I think the team's in the right place. I've always been a team player. I'm not going to change now."
Layups: Hoiberg said there's nothing structurally wrong with Jimmy Butler's sore right heel, pain that Butler repeatedly has said he will play through. "He's comfortable with it," said Hoiberg, who added how he uses Butler won't change. "Jimmy is a warrior." ... Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich were limited in the light practice and are doubtful for Wednesday against the Nuggets.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
