NBA Rumors: Will Lingering Ankle Issues Have Lasting Impact on Joakim Noah

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Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah contiues to deal with the effects of his ankle injury and may be focred to miss the World Championships.

The 6-10 forward from Florida hurt his right ankle all the way back on March 28th. He made a speedy recovery and ws back in action on April 5th. But it was a lingering injury that hampered him throughout the playoffs. How much of an effect did it have on his performance against the Miami Heat? I guess we will never know.

ESPN Chicago is reporting that the ankle is now affecting his summer plans to play in the European Championships:

Noah's condition surfaced while players were taking medical exams in Paris last week, according to FIBA's website, which first reported that Noah would have to rehab the ankle. "In an act of transparency, (France's basketball federation -- the FFBB) sent the medical reports to his club and his agent," the FFBB said in a statement.

It's a tough pill to swallow for the French National team, that is loaded with talent. Nicholas Batum has already committed and Tony Parker was rumored to be going as well.

Now it's unclear if Noah will even fly back to Europe to compete in the tournament that starts August 31st. The European Championships serve as a qualifier for the Olympic Games that will take place next summer.

The French team wants to make sure there aren't any complications with Noah and surely don't want to jeopardize his fat NBA contract over an injury. It's a setback and Noah still figures to play for France in Eurobasket, which starts in Lithuania for the French.

Noah is able to play for a foreign country because has dual citizenship in France and the United States.

—Eric Ball

Follow @BigLeague_Eball

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