During the preseason, eight NBA teams are playing a total of eight games in six countries across the world. And of all the players on all those teams, we can say with near certainty that Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is having the most fun on his trip.
Noah, the All-Star seven-footer, has an international background, as his mother is from Sweden and his father is from France. Over the offseason he's also traveled to China and Cameroon. Simply put, the dude loves to go abroad.
From the moment Noah stepped off the plane in Brazil, he's been having a blast.
Bulls arrived at team hotel and Noah said he ran across street and jumped into ocean. Of course he did. #NBAGlobalGames
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 9, 2013
Noah: "I had my bathing suit under my outfit on the plane and I went straight to the beach and went for a swim." #Bulls #NBAGlobalGames
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 9, 2013
Noah had been to Rio one time before, when he was 14, and he says he couldn't wait to get back.
"Brazil is like one of those places -- I’ve always wanted to come here -- the people are just full of energy," Noah said. "The culture is so cool, they’ve got great food, and it’s just an unbelievable culture with great people. So just to be a part of this, I couldn’t be happier."
The Bulls' game against the Wizards on Saturday will be the first in a South American country, and there is a lot of anticipation for the matchup in a country where basketball is very popular. Noah is doing all he can to match the fans' energy. Just check out his awesome entrance to Fan Appreciation Day.
Unfortunately for basketball fans in Brazil, Noah may not even suit up for Saturday's game. He has been held back the past few weeks by a groin injury and was deemed "questionable" by coach Tom Thibodeau.
