Noah learns origin of circus trip

Really, there is no reason for Bulls center Joakim Noah to ever think about what goes on at the United Center while the team heads West for the annual November road trip.

There was a funny moment at Monday's practice, though, when the third-year center asked why this is called the "circus" road trip

"I don't understand what's so circus about the trip," Noah said. "Everybody always says it's like a circus trip, but it's just a good team bonding (experience). We spend a lot of time together on the road."

A sympathetic reporter filled Noah in. It's called the circus trip because the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus moves into the United Center for two weeks every year, forcing the Bulls and the Blackhawks to hit the road.

"That's why they call it the circus trip?" Noah said with a laugh. "I was like, 'Why do they always call it the circus trip? What's so circus about it?' I didn't even know that."