Joakim Noah unlikely to play for France in EuroBasket 2015
If France is going to defend their EuroBasket crown successfully, it seems they'll have to do it without Joakim Noah.
Noah's performance has suffered and his durability has become tenuous with the toll of multiple NBA seasons and playoff appearances wearing on him.
As a result, the Chicago Bulls center is unlikely to play for France at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 in September, even though two berths to the 2016 Olympics will be up for grabs. Playing through a left knee issue all season, the 30-year-old told L'Equipe, a French newspaper, this week that the national team is not his priority.
Noah has reportedly been asked to make a decision by the end of March, with the ultimatum placed before him that an absence at EuroBasket would mean he will not be selected for the Olympic team. That's a tough pill, but with Noah having played more regular-season minutes than all but 34 other players over the past four seasons - plus playoff time - it's probably a necessary sacrifice for the 2015-16 Bulls season.
In 50 games this year, Noah is averaging 7.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 43.7 percent - all well below his established levels of production.
Noah suited up for France for their silver-medal performance at EuroBasket 2011 but did not play in the 2014 World Cup or the 2012 Olympics.