Free Noa.

ghostinthepost1 · Post #1 » by **ghostinthepost1** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:16 pm

I think it's insane that seemingly the Bulls can't find minutes for Noa Essengue this season.

He brings a mix of athleticism, length, and defensive energy that this roster really needs. Even if he’s still raw offensively, his ability to protect the rim, rebound, and run the floor could make a real difference off the bench.

Do we really need to see what YEAR 5 Dalen Terry has to offer? or Julian "JAG" Phillips? Don't even get me started on Pat.

Evil_Headband · Post #2 » by **Evil_Headband** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:25 pm

Insane? Bringing a rookie (and second youngest player in the league) along slowly is insane?

MrSparkle · Post #3 » by **MrSparkle** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:30 pm

Billy has a method. It involves writing down his ideas and plans in August, and seeing through them until March, when it’s apparent that nothing worked.

jnrjr79 · Post #4 » by **jnrjr79** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:33 pm

We're complaining about Noa's lack of minutes for a season that has not been played?

CROBulls · Post #5 » by **CROBulls** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:46 pm

Yes I agree. G-league free Noa.

sco · Post #6 » by **sco** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:56 pm

I'll be optimistic that Noa, in his limited minutes, plays well enough for us to continue to complain about this all season!

ghostinthepost1 · Post #7 » by **ghostinthepost1** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:56 pm

Evil_Headband wrote:Insane? Bringing a rookie (and second youngest player in the league) along slowly is insane?

You bring rookies along slowly when you're playing for something meaningful, when you're stated goal is growth then you get him in minutes so he can grow and develop on an NBA court.

kodo · Post #8 » by **kodo** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 5:57 pm

He got 14 min in the PS game, about the same as everyone else.

His minutes would mean less minutes for Buzelis, and Buzelis deserves as many minutes as he can handle. We have only 1 Forward spot.
He's clearly not a guard for the 1-3 positions.

If they wanted a rook who could potentially play this season, should have gotten a center like Beringer, because Matas has the F spot locked down probably for a long time.

League Circles · Post #9 » by **League Circles** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 6:03 pm

I virtually guarantee Noa will play plenty this season. Book it. This is a chance to give everyone a look, and for guys like Phillips, probably a last look.

IMO, Noa will be competing with Patrick for the back 4 minutes, who in turn will be competing for backup 3 minutes as well.

sco · Post #10 » by **sco** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 6:41 pm

League Circles wrote:I virtually guarantee Noa will play plenty this season. Book it. This is a chance to give everyone a look, and for guys like Phillips, probably a last look.

IMO, Noa will be competing with Patrick for the back 4 minutes, who in turn will be competing for backup 3 minutes as well.

I'd be excited if he follows the Matas development curve, but that's a lot to ask of him.

aguifs · Post #11 » by **aguifs** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 6:56 pm

He has a good motor. Period.

Erratic as fu, kinda train wreck.

You have to be patient. High risk, high reward pick

Chi town · Post #12 » by **Chi town** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:30 pm

League Circles wrote:I virtually guarantee Noa will play plenty this season. Book it. This is a chance to give everyone a look, and for guys like Phillips, probably a last look.

IMO, Noa will be competing with Patrick for the back 4 minutes, who in turn will be competing for backup 3 minutes as well.

I think Buz will be playing some 3 and Noa some 4 with Pat. Next season Noa will get some run at the 5 too.

sco · Post #13 » by **sco** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:42 pm

Chi town wrote:
League Circles wrote:I virtually guarantee Noa will play plenty this season. Book it. This is a chance to give everyone a look, and for guys like Phillips, probably a last look.

IMO, Noa will be competing with Patrick for the back 4 minutes, who in turn will be competing for backup 3 minutes as well.

I think Buz will be playing some 3 and Noa some 4 with Pat. Next season Noa will get some run at the 5 too.

I think Noa is shorter and skinnier than Matas. I think his chances of playing C are about the same as him playing PG next season.

Evil_Headband · Post #14 » by **Evil_Headband** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:42 pm

ghostinthepost1 wrote:
Evil_Headband wrote:Insane? Bringing a rookie (and second youngest player in the league) along slowly is insane?

You bring rookies along slowly when you're playing for something meaningful, when you're stated goal is growth then you get him in minutes so he can grow and develop on an NBA court.

The stated goal by AK was:

Building while competing is the goal. Every decision (is) tied to that. We’re gonna focus on winning every game without putting any goals on a team besides just getting better and growing together.

Playing Noa in the big league when he isn't ready and making too many mistakes can be counterproductive to that goal.

sco · Post #15 » by **sco** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:44 pm

aguifs wrote:He has a good motor. Period.

Erratic as fu, kinda train wreck.

You have to be patient. High risk, high reward pick

IDK, from the SL an PS games I've seen him in, he looks decently skilled. He's a little skinny, but even there, he doesn't look much skinnier than Phillips. I think people say he looks skinny because he has narrow shoulders, but his arms don't look like twigs.

Evil_Headband · Post #16 » by **Evil_Headband** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:49 pm

sco wrote:
Chi town wrote:
League Circles wrote:I virtually guarantee Noa will play plenty this season. Book it. This is a chance to give everyone a look, and for guys like Phillips, probably a last look.

IMO, Noa will be competing with Patrick for the back 4 minutes, who in turn will be competing for backup 3 minutes as well.

I think Buz will be playing some 3 and Noa some 4 with Pat. Next season Noa will get some run at the 5 too.

I think Noa is shorter and skinnier than Matas. I think his chances of playing C are about the same as him playing PG next season.

I agree with your second sentence, but Noa is a little longer than Matas. Measurements from their combines rounded to the nearest inch:

Matas: 6'9", 6'10" wingspan, 197 lbs. (over a year ago, he gained a little weight)
Noa: 6'10", 7'1" wingspan, 203 lbs.

PaKii94 · Post #17 » by **PaKii94** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 7:55 pm

After the first preseason game I actually think Noa could be our (small ball) center of the future. He is so very young right now he could still grow 2-3 in and get to 7 ft. With a little bit of muscle mass I think he could be a game changer with matas next to him.

Kind of like what we were trying with p Will but noa has oodles of length

poolshark52 · Post #18 » by **poolshark52** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 8:15 pm

I'm fine with him getting lots of run with Windy City early in the season.

ShouldaPaidBG · Post #19 » by **ShouldaPaidBG** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 8:25 pm

I don't think anyone on the team is going to get over 32 mpg. They stated last year they wanted to try winning with depth. Noa will get a shot for sure.

Post #20 » by **DuckIII** » Thu Oct 9, 2025 8:53 pm

Evil_Headband wrote:Insane? Bringing a rookie (and second youngest player in the league) along slowly is insane?

It can be. When VDN tried to do it with Rose it was insane.

Every situation is different. Every player is different. I lean towards the theory that by the time you reach the NBA, the idea that playing in live games hurts your development is pretty hard to buy into as a general matter. But its definitely possible, because players have different psyches. It is up to a good coach to decide how to develop a rookie and there is no one correct formula.

If BD determines that early, regular bench playing time would be detrimental to Noa's development then he should bring him along very slowly. If he determines Noa is the type who benefits more from learning by doing in real time, then he should play him.

Because OP is definitely right about one thing. From a talent, quality, and upside perspective there is zero reason Phillips or Terry should play even a second over Noa. The only reason to slow Noa's development is if its best for him in the long term.