Joakim Noah: Beating The Bulls ‘Felt Really Good’

Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose were terrific in their return to Chicago on Friday. Inspired by the emotional homecoming, the former Bulls led New York to a 117-104 victory.

Noah, who had 16 points in 35 minutes (both season-highs), was ecstatic about the win against his former team in the United Center, afterward saying, “It felt really good. I’m not going to lie. It felt great.”

For Chicago fans, who gave Noah and Rose a loud ovation during pregame introductions, it was bittersweet moment to watch the former stars thrive once again, albeit now as members of the New York Knicks.

More from the Chicago Tribune:

Noah primal screamed his way to 16 points and nine rebounds. All five Knicks starters reached double figures, topped by Kristaps Porzingis’ 27 points.

 

“I’m not going to lie,” Noah said with a playful grin. “It felt great.”

 

[…]

 

“It was harder than I thought just in terms of trying to keep my emotions in check,” Noah said. “Coming into this building, there are so many people I’m used to seeing on a daily basis. It’s crazy. I’ve been here for a decade. It seems like it was just yesterday that Chicago was home.”

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