The Chicago Bulls on Thursday announced which jersey numbers each of their myriad offseason additions will wear for the upcoming season. But one in particular caught the eye of fans.
Tony Bradley, a productive reserve center with whom the team reportedly agreed to terms earlier in August, will don the No. 13. Yes, the same No. 13 that Joakim Noah wore for his nine seasons in Chicago.
Over the course of that near-decade, Noah was the heart and soul of the most successful Bulls teams since the dynasty. He earned two All-Star, and three All-Defense, selections, helped lead the team to the 2011 Eastern Conference finals, and in 2013-14 won Defensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in MVP voting. He's a Bulls legend in every respect.
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While some fans recoiled at the idea of his digits being given away so soon (nobody has worn them since Noah left the team in free agency in 2016), Bradley said in a Discord conversation with fans he intends to honor Noah with his jersey choice:
The Bulls are selective in retiring jersey numbers. Only four in the franchise's long history hang from the United Center rafters: Jerry Sloan's No. 4, Bob Love's No. 10, Scottie Pippen's No. 33 and Michael Jordan's No. 23.
So Noah's number being passed down was likely always destined to happen. Now, Bradley and Bulls fans alike will hope he does it justice.
