Obama sits courtside for Bulls' opening game
Several extra layers of security surrounded the United Center as early as Tuesday morning during the teams' shootarounds.
Word quickly spread of a special visitor for the Bulls' season opener: President Barack Obama, a former Chicago resident and acknowledged Bulls fan.
"You can tell he's going to be in the building by all the suits running around," Cavs forward Kevin Love told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in the morning.
Obama's presence caused traffic jams and longer lines at the gates, because fans had to pass through metal detectors. During the first timeout in the opening quarter, there was a buzz on the court as cameras swarmed one of the tunnels - but it was a false alarm. Obama finally arrived during the game's second timeout, late in the first quarter, and sat down about 12 seats from midcourt, in the front row.
"He loves the game of basketball," LeBron James said at the Cavs' shootaround. "We all know that. It's an honor for me to be a part of a venue and a spectacle that the president would like to come and watch. It's an honor for sure."
This was Obama's second time watching the Bulls in person since he became president. He attended a game in Washington on Feb. 27, 2009, and saw the Bulls get clobbered by the Wizards 113-90.
Obama arrived in town Tuesday to deliver a speech at the annual conference for the International Association of Chiefs of Police at McCormick Place.
Cavs coach David Blatt had an interesting response to the news.
"You know, I've been in front of some presidents in other parts of the world, actually," said Blatt, who coached internationally for many years and is known for being a bit pompous. "So, (president) of the United States? Yes (first time). Unless the president was at the Olympic Games and I didn't know it."
Noah won't gripe:
Joakim Noah was asked Tuesday if coach Fred Hoiberg sold him on the idea of coming off the bench.
"He didn't have to sell me anything," Noah said. "I want to win, and I think this makes our team better. We have a lot of talent, a lot of talent in the front, and sacrifices must be made sometimes. I think this gives us the best chance for our team."
Besides, it wouldn't be right for Noah to complain when teammate Taj Gibson has accepted a reserve role for years.
"Yeah, I mean (Gibson) has definitely sacrificed a lot for this organization. There's no question about that," Noah said. "He's a heck of a talent, but for us to get to where want to get to everybody is going to have to play well and we're going to have to jell fast, so I'm excited for the opportunity."
Rose jumps back in:
After playing just 10 minutes during preseason, Derrick Rose wasn't under any deep restrictions in Tuesday's opener. He checked out just five minutes into the first quarter, but ended up playing 17 minutes in the first half.
The playing rotations on both sides were unusual. Cleveland's LeBron James missed the last two weeks of preseason after getting an anti-inflammatory injection in his back. James also sat down earlier than usual and Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg took the opportunity to send E'Twaun Moore into the game for Jimmy Butler.
Moore played well and ended up logging nine minutes in the first half. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson came off the bench as expected, but Nikola Mirotic had the hot hand early, which kept Gibson on the bench a little longer than planned.
Bull horns:
Before Tuesday, the Bulls had a 27-22 record all-time on opening night, and 15-10 when opening at home. … The Bulls led the NBA in rebounds per game during preseason with 51.9 ... After re-signing LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova and others in the summer, Cleveland is expected to pay about $170 million in salary and luxury tax this season.