Intro:

Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls accepted the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award in New York on Monday.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Joakim Noah:

"This award is a team award. This wouldn't be possible without my boy Kirk Heinrich, the old man just picking up full court. Tibs (Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls coach) being on him every day. Guys like Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, my whole team. I appreciate them - through all the adversity that we've gone through. For them to never let up and just keep fighting. I'm so proud of that and it's bigger than awards. It's something I'll never forget. Just throughout all the adversity, just being in this position and getting this award. Of course Tibs (Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls coach) we've definitely had our hard times, our ups and downs, but you know without your system, this wouldn't be possible."