What to expect from the Bulls' in NBA season opener against the Heat

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.