Preseason Or Not, Be Pumped For Bulls Home Opener Against Washington
Start the countdown.
In less than a week from today, the first tip-off at the United Center will greet the lucky fans who got a hold of tickets to the first Chicago Bulls home game, and entertain those watching the first game on WGN.
Yes, it's a preseason game.
The nature of those games can downplay the excitement of watching the new and old faces in a Bulls jersey. Don't expect to see Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and all that other Jazz play many minutes, nonetheless, at their full potential.
Preseason games are warm-ups; they're workouts, and for the sake of many, they're for sheer entertainment.
Oh, and yes, the Bulls are playing the Wizards, who don't really add much to the anticipation. The Charlotte Bobcats might add a tad-bit more hype. Right?
No.
Actually, Washington will bring plenty of treats to Chicago come October 8.
First, they'll be bringing overall first-round draft pick John Wall, and what more would fans want than to see how Wall and Rose match-up at the point? Two first round draft picks, two of the most anticipated point guards in the NBA will be at it, on Chicago soil.
Second, there might or might not be a welcome back party for Kirk Hinrich. It seems like many Bulls fans are split on his trade.
Some praised him for his lock-down defense and versatility at the one and two spots, while others thought he was an undersized, overpaid guard who can't really shoot.
But a guy like Hinrich, who's been on the Bulls for seven years (nearly his entire NBA career, depending on how long he'll last till the old man-bug bites) will either be cheered or booed when he steps on the court for the first time, donning the red, white, and blue. No more black. Not even gold, since the Wizards changed their colors.
The fans' reactions will be interesting. But at the heart, the responses from Hinrich's former teammates' and staff will be just as emotional, per se.
Third, it's redemption time for Gilbert Arenas, but he's one of the few names that really stand out in the Wizard's roster. And it's not because he's one of the best shooting guards in the league.
(He's not).
Known for leading the Wizards into one of the most embarrassing finishes in the franchise's history, Arenas will need to focus more on the game of basketball. But can he?
Many haven't forgiven him for bringing a gun in the Wizard's locker room, and using it to settle a gambling argument with teammate Javaris Crittenton.
The locker room is a place where most of the chemistry and camaraderie should happen. But sometimes, for Arenas, it happens on the poker table. And instead of taking disputes out on the court, he takes it out in the locker rooms.
What a role model. This is where Hinrich steps in as a leader.
Finally, as stated earlier, it's the first (unofficial) home game of the season, and it's also the first televised on "Chicago's very own WGN," for that matter.
Sure, there will probably be more of C.J. Watson, John Lucas III, and Omer Asik on the court rather than D-Rose or Noah.
But boy, what an offseason it's been. It's time to put all the LeBron talk, free agency drama, and trade rumors to bed. It's time to forget about the "what ifs" and "could have beens" with Carmelo Anthony.
It's just time to roll the ball on the court in the U.C. and play some ball.
