Joakim Noah: Why Is He Deemed Untouchable?

There is nothing flashy about Joakim Noah. His jump shot might be the ugliest shot in the NBA today.

However, his passion and non-stop motor is what drove him to average a career high 10.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG (sixth in the NBA), along with 1.56 blocks per game.

Noah has a relentless drive to his game, since that is the only way he will get by in the NBA. As a 6'11" center, he isn't someone the Chicago Bulls will use as a post-up option. Nevertheless, Noah has worked very hard on his conditioning—something he got criticized for a couple years ago—so that he can outrun just about any big man in the NBA.

Noah is the locker room leader for the Bulls, and also brings a swagger to the game that helps him become the competitor he is.

Last season, Noah got praise from coaches and players around the league about the play that nearly made Noah an All-Star.

One of the coaches that gave Noah some praise was Nuggets coach George Karl.

"I take my hat off to the kid," Karl said. "He's playing at an All-Star level with just rebounding and hustle. He has a belief in himself in the paint that very few young kids have. He has put some big numbers up."

"I'm very impressed. A lot of guys can have an impact in a game as a role player or energy player. He's having an impact as an energy player as a starter. That's hard to do in this league."

Noah's value to the Bulls goes far beyond his stats, which are pretty darn good, too. His relentless motor and passion for basketball has driven him to being an "untouchable" in the eyes of the Bulls front office.

With a healthy season, Noah can easily represent the Chicago Bulls as an All-Star this upcoming season. With Boozer in the fold, Noah's game should only improve.

Noah has been valued as an "untouchable" by the Bulls front office. Now it's time for Bulls fans to look at him that way, too.