Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls: Who Has the Edge?
By Mike Dill
May 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, far left) dunks the ball against Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) as Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Center
Warriors: Andrew Bogut, Jermaine O’Neal, Festus Ezeli
Bulls: Joakim Noah, Nazr Mohammed
Joakim Noah’s style of basketball is anything but pretty – just look at the side spin he puts on his free throws – but he is still one of the most effective centers in the league. He averaged a double-double and two blocks per game last season, proving his ability on both sides of the ball.
Is he a better player than Andrew Bogut?
That all depends on Bogut’s health. He has dealt with plenty of injuries over the years, but a healthy Andrew Bogut is a nightmare for other teams. At this point, Bogut says he is 100% healthy and considers himself to be a top-3 center in the NBA.
Maybe it’s foolish, but I’m going to agree with him. His defense and rebounding during the Warriors’ playoff run last year was indescribable. He can change the game just by standing in the paint.
Noah is definitely one of the better centers in the league, but he can’t compete with a healthy Andrew Bogut.