NOAH, BOMAYE!!!!!!!!!!!

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development at IMG Basketball Academy and PTC
 

Watch the first 2 minutes of this video below before finishing the article.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRNw4HoOvRo
 
I get a lot of questions about how I know Joakim Noah.  Here’s a list of the questions I often get, and how I answer them:

Yes, I am a huge fan of Joakim Noah.

Yes, I had the pleasure of spending six weeks helping Noah prepare for the NBA Draft. 

Yes, I am a Billy Donovan fan. 

Yes, one of our players from IMG Academy is going to Florida next year. 

Yes, I understand that the Bulls are in turmoil. 

Yes, Noah played throughout the NCAA tournament with a torn rotator cuff.

Yes, Joakim is a free spirit and loves the limelight. 

No, I have never seen anyone push themselves to absolute exhaustion during an individual workout like Noah did. 

No, I have not had a player try to tear the rim off of every repetition of a drill that requires a dunk like Noah did. 

No, Corey Brewer did not talk back when Noah screamed to the other end of the court that he was not working like a lottery pick. 

No, Joakim did not have to work out everyday, twice a day, when he had a guarantee in the lottery. 

No, Joakim did not have to go to every workout he was invited to and showcase himself, including against guys rated much lower than him. 

No, he did not miss a workout because of his torn rotator cuff. 

No, Joakim did not have to wait for another player to finish their drills so he had someone to race in our full court sprints.

No, Joakim did not have to cause a stir amongst his team this week.   

 
As media around the country produce varying reports, I want to go to a famous quote, "There is a fine line between insanity and the most successful mindset one can have."  Ali danced around Zaire with the children, and many sports fan were left scathing at Ali's selfish act, not knowing his role, or that he changed the sport and world for the better. 

 For those of you who have not been paying attention, Joakim Noah has been doing the same for the past two years on the court and off.  Antagonizing fans, pounding his chest, screaming after a big play, giving crazy and confusing interviews.  Just like Ali, some can not relate or tolerate his actions because they are not willing to put in the work or sacrifice to stand up for something despite what authority might say.  Whether it is true or not, just the notion of Joakim challenging Ben Wallace proves the quote above.  Nobody wanted to mess with Sonny Liston at one time either.

How many players have cursed out their assistant coach and had their team throw them under the bus?  What did the coach say?  Was what he said professional or was it an eye for an eye?  Did the team want to suspend him or were veteran players trying to keep their cozy jobs by staying in line with the decision makers? 

It took him an extra year of high school and three years at