Joakim Noah said he has work to do on his surgically-repaired left knee, but he said the knee responded well to his first back-to-back action of the preseason, the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson reports. "I still have to get my strength back in my leg. Ju

Noah said he has work to do on his surgically-repaired left knee, but he said the knee responded well to his first back-to-back action of the preseason, the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson reports. "I still have to get my strength back in my leg. Just trying to manage practicing, playing. But overall I'm happy with it," Noah said. "I just have to deal with it. I'll be ready."

Analysis:

Noah is expected to wear a knee brace all season long, but his status for the start of the regular season is not in jeopardy. Hopefully with Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson also on the roster, Noah won't be pushed too hard in terms of minutes. He remains one of the better centers in fantasy hoops, and should be drafted as such.