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Noah gives UCLA's cheerleaders a wink and a lesson

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Indianapolis, April 3 (AP) - TAKE THAT!: Joakim Noah gave the UCLA cheerleaders a nod and a wink during the game, and then playfully lectured them on courtside etiquette afterward.
     
After Florida's 73-57 victory in the national championship game Monday night, Noah was asked if he was actually teasing the Bruins cheerleaders during the second half when he inbounded the ball.
     
In a word: Yes.
     
"Actually, they were talking a lot of trash. I mean it was like crazy," he said. "Like OK, fans."
     
If it affected Noah, he certainly didn't show it on the court.
     
He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, a championship record six blocks and three assists as he earned the Most Outstanding Player award.
     
Questions about his future plans weren't far behind.
     
But the emotional Noah, son of former French Open champion Yannick Noah, feigned surprise at what he endured.
     
"I mean, it hurts when you have beautiful girls out there just telling you how ugly you are and stuff," he said. "I just had to focus on the game."
     
That's not what UCLA needed with Noah playing so well.
     
But he did leave the cheerleaders one parting shot.
     
"When somebody is screaming all that stuff at you, you know, the best thing I could do was just blow a kiss by and maybe they like me," he said.
     
Or at least they would have like the national championship trophy Noah walked away with.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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