Bulls Preseason: Grades, thoughts and more

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) passes the ball away from Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The jury is still out on Joakim Noah‘s health.

Don’t believe me? Ask Chicago Sun-Times hoops reporter Joe Cowley and his anonymous sources:

"“Jo’s [left] knee is going to be an issue all season,’’ the source said. “He has played through pain before with the plantar [fasciitis], but this is completely different, a different level.’’ -Anonymous source on Joakim Noah’s knee after offseason surgery, Suntimes.com"

Noah would address his knee concerns by saying,

"“I feel like I’m still in a rehab kind of state right now,’’ Noah said. “Just making sure the swelling is down. It’s just a lot of rehab, and it’s boring, boring stuff. But you just have to stay on top of it, be patient. I’m sure it will come back to where I want it to be.’’ -Joakim Noah on getting his knee back to 100 percent, Suntimes.com"

Although Noah’s minutes were limited during the preseason and he sat out the second game of the eight-game slate for precautionary reasons, his minutes went up over the final six games of the preseason (24, 21, 27, 24, 24 (the second game of a back-to-back) and 32 minutes).

Noah didn’t take more than six attempts in a game, but led the Bulls in assists per game with just under four per game (3.8). Along with the knee concerns, the First-Team All-NBA member in 2013 is getting accustomed to playing with a superstar point guard and a new face in the Chicago front-court.