DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah declared his left ankle fully healed on Monday during the team's media day.

"I feel great," Noah said. "I lost my grandmother this morning, but besides that I feel ready to go.

"My ankle is really good. I spent a lot of time just rehabbing this offseason. I had a very hard decision to make in not playing in the Olympics. That was very difficult for me just having to say no to that because I knew I wasn't 100 percent yet. I know a lot of people were disappointed, especially in France, but I feel like I made the right decision. Just to be 100 percent and be ready for this moment for when the season started. I knew a lot would be expected from me and I feel pretty ready."

Noah skipped the Olympics to heal his ankle which he injured in Game 3 of the Bulls’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

He started feeling better mid-summer and resumed workouts accordingly.

“He was pretty diligent,” general manager Gar Forman said. “He started feeling better towards the end of July. Pretty much 100 percent by then. He had a very productive summer and an excellent fall. He’s ready to go.”