Charles Barkley recently picked the Bulls to win the Eastern Conference, but center Joakim Noah isn't buying into the hype.

"Poison," Noah told ESPNChicago.com Tuesday of the hype. "We're not in the Finals yet. I love Chuck. I think he's great for the game. I love his honesty. He always tells you how he feels. But it's poison."

Barkley admitted he was going out on a limb on TNT last week when he made the prediction.

"The best [Eastern Conference] team that I've seen this year, I think the Chicago Bulls are going to win the East," Barkley said. "I love what they're doing in Chicago.

"I think the Magic have the deepest team in the East, the Celtics have the oldest team and the Heat are going to struggle, but they'll get it together. I think the Orlando Magic are going to have the best record, but the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference is the Chicago Bulls. Especially once they get [Carlos] Boozer back."