In the 2013-14 NBA season, Joakim Noah emerged as one of the best all-around players in the league, leading the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs despite the absence of Derrick Rose for the second straight season.

Noah averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, earning his second career NBA All-Star selection. He also finished fourth in the MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Noah’s exceptional passing ability and play-making from the center position were especially impressive, as he often initiated the Bulls’ offense and found open teammates with pinpoint accuracy. He recorded triple-doubles on two occasions and had several other near-misses throughout the season.

Defensively, Noah anchored the Bulls’ tough and physical style of play, consistently switching onto guards and playing with unrelenting intensity.

Despite suffering from various injuries throughout the season, including plantar fasciitis, Noah played in 80 out of 82 games and led the Bulls to a 48-34 record, good for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. He continued his strong play in the postseason, averaging 13.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the first-round series against the Washington Wizards, although the Bulls were ultimately eliminated in five games.