The NBA preseason is in the
books, and the Chicago Bulls showed flashes of dominance, going 7-0 to be the
only undefeated team. Then again it’s only the preseason.
While the preseason is nothing
to write home about, Derrick Rose did not disappoint in his return by making 48
percent of his shots for 20.7 points per game.
For all of Rose’s improvements,
the true test will come tonight when the Bulls face LeBron James and his
reigning two-time NBA champion Miami Heat.
Any season opener is exciting,
but tonight’s game will set the tone for the entire NBA season as each team race
to hoist the Larry O’Brien championship trophy at the end of the season.
I can’t think of a better way to
open the season, and that’s not just because I am a Bulls fan. This game is sure
to excite, as two of the best players in the league battle it out on the
offensive end of the court. While Rose and James can fill a stat sheet, this
game isn’t likely to be a fast-paced, high-scoring game. This game will be all
about defense as the leagues arguably best defender plays arguably the best
defensive team.
It’s going to be ugly, gritty
and physical basketball.
These two teams are bitter
rivals, which adds to the excitement of this season opener. James himself said
of the Bulls, “We don’t like them, they don’t like us.”
Expect to see that on the court.
The Bulls-Heat rivalry goes back
to James’ days as a Cavalier when Bulls center Joakim Noah said Cleveland
“really sucks.” Expect heat to be added to that fire when the Heat receive
their championship rings in a pregame ceremony.
I haven’t been this excited for
an NBA game in a long time. I think the Bulls will come away with the win, but
this is the Heat they are facing, and they happen to have the best player in
the league.
Regardless of a Bulls victory or
loss, I’m just glad basketball is back.