By: Brian Suk
Mark your calendars. The NBA Season tips off on Tuesday, October 27, and we’ve got some great games to start the 82 game grind for 30 teams.
The first, and probably most anticipated, is the Chicago Bulls taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers. From Derrick Rose’s new mask to Tristan Thompson’s obscene new contract, this game has both teams with much to prove. The Bulls have made a tweak to their starting lineup, with Nikola Mirotic replacing Joakim Noah. This is a prime example of the implementation of Coach Hoiberg’s faster style of play. With more offensive firepower, shooting, and spacing, this starting lineup will probably look to attack right away, contrasting greatly with Thibodeau’s grinding style last year. Although their offense will most certainly improve, their defense may drop with Hoiberg’s new system. They allowed an average of 106.4 points per game in the preseason, and that number must go down if they want to beat the Cavs Tuesday night. On Cleveland’s side, Lebron James’s condition is still up in the air, with his back problem and all, but there is one player who recently got a 5 year 82 million dollar deal named Tristan Thompson, who is looking to prove his worth. I am also interested in seeing how David Blatt manages the team, as he clearly was not respected last year. For the most part, I expect to see two explosive offenses who will each score over 100 points each.
The second and third games are the Hawks vs Pistons and the Pelicans vs Warriors. Atlanta will once again have to climb their way back up after one good year, and the Pistons are a young team with loads of talent. The Pelicans are also very young, with a possible MVP candidate in Anthony Davis. The reigning champs will also play on opening night, and may want to improve on their bad preseason record with their typical fast tempo, small ball play.
