Joakim Noah recalls his welcome to the NBA moment: "I had never heard of him before... He bust my a-s"

Not everyone in the NBA is built like a Greek god and can jump out of the gym. However, just because they don't look like a typical NBA athlete doesn't mean they can't drop 30 on anybody on any given night.

This was a harsh lesson that the then-Chicago Bulls rookie Joakim Noah learned during the 2007-08 season.

Picked ninth in the 2007 draft and coming off a prolific collegiate career wherein he won two straight NCAA championships, Noah entered the league brimming with confidence. A 6'11" center with a relentless motor, he felt that his mind and body were prepared to take on anyone in the big league.

However, as Noah learned a few games into his rookie season, there's a reason why NBA players are considered the best in the world.

Chris Kaman was actually good

To be fair, Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman wasn't exactly a household name in the NBA. Although he was the sixth pick of the iconic 2003 NBA Draft — the same one with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh — he didn't set the league on fire like his draftmates, averaging only 6.1 points during his rookie season.

However, what the Caveman lacked in flash and athleticism, he more than made up for with diligence and savvy. Elevated to the Clippers' starting five in his second season, the 7-footer soon blossomed into a dependable big man who could score inside and out.

By the time Noah entered the league, Kaman was already averaging a double-double of 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Bulls' young big, he failed to notice this in the scouting report and paid dearly.

Related: "Nurse Shoes" & No Sales: Insider reveals truth about Under Armour DUMPING Stephen Curry

Noah's welcome to the NBA moment

Noah had always been brash and confident. Perhaps he inherited it from his father, the former professional tennis player Yannick Noah. Or perhaps it was the New Yorker in him. Whatever the case was, Noah didn't fear anyone and was always ready to mix it up on the court.

However, he apparently bit off more than he could chew when he mistakenly believed he could take on Kaman.

"You can't take nobody for granted, man. It's unbelievable," Noah said. "I remember my first game was against this guy called Chris Kaman."

"And I had never heard of him before.  I didn't know who he was, and so I'm like, 'Oh, I'm about to give this guy some buckets.' Like, you know, first game in the NBA," he continued. "Yeah, right. He bust my a—. Chris Kaman, that was my first real 'Welcome to the NBA' moment."

The game Joakim referred to was played on November 6, 2007, with the Clippers visiting the United Center to play the Bulls. Kaman finished with 16 points on 8-for-10 shooting, 11 rebounds and two blocks to lead the Clippers to a 97-91 victory.

Eleven days later, Noah again faced off against Kaman. Although the Bulls won that game, 92-73, Kaman was again dominant with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

"Anyway, it still hurts talking about it," Noah admitted.

The memory was undoubtedly bitter for Noah, but it gave him a lesson he never forgot throughout his career: never to underestimate an opponent and always to play with passion and determination.

Related: "Zion has completely fu—ed this organization" - Kendrick Perkins slams Zion Williamson, urges Pelicans to move on

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.