NBA opens season with all eyes on Heat
First-year Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau earned his reputation as one of the NBA's best assistants through meticulous preparation and endless hours on the job.
Even though the Bulls are getting ready to open the season at Oklahoma City, Thibodeau might be tempted to watch his old team, the Boston Celtics, take on the star-studded Miami Heat on Tuesday night.
“I'd like to watch it,” he said. “I'm like everyone else. It should be a terrific matchup. I think the Celtics have added a lot to their team. They have a ton of size upfront now (with Shaquille O'Neal).
“I thought the Heat was underrated last year. I thought they were terrific defensively last year, so I think they'll be very good again this year defensively. I think it will be a great game.”
Bulls guard Derrick Rose, in contrast, doesn't enjoy watching NBA games he's not playing in. He's more likely to bring a video game on the road or choose from his vast assortment of movies on DVD.
Rose also had his doubts about how intently Thibodeau will watch the Celtics-Heat blastoff.
“If he's looking at the game, he'll have his laptop next to him looking at our stuff,” Rose said with a laugh.
Whether Thibodeau watches or not, this figures to be the most highly anticipated NBA opening night, maybe ever. This single contest captures the season's intriguing storyline perfectly.
Miami piled up an unprecedented collection of talent this summer by signing two-time MVP LeBron James and ex-Toronto power forward Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade.
After the nauseating television special announcing James' decision and the way he turned against his home region of Cleveland, many sports fans can't wait to see the Heat fail.
The Celtics might be the basketball version of “America's Team” on this night. Next up for the Heat is a home opener against Orlando on Thursday, so an 0-2 start isn't out of the question.
The pertinent question heading into the 2010-11 season is, “Who can beat the Heat?”
The obvious answer is the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Few teams can match up with Kobe Bryant or the huge front line of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Phil Jackson decided to come back for what may be his final year in coaching.
The Lakers, aiming for their second three-peat of the past decade, actually could be a sentimental favorite in a Finals matchup with the Heat.
Such an idea would have seemed preposterous five years ago after Bryant's brush with legal problems. Of course, the idea of James jumping to join Wade's team was ridiculous as recently as June 30.
In the East, Boston and Orlando figure to be the toughest competition. Miami's biggest weakness could be interior defense, with only Joel Anthony at center, backed up by senior citizens Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Juwan Howard and Jamaal Magloire.
The Magic can answer with the league's best center in Dwight Howard and a collection of outside shooters. Boston has Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and expects to get Kendrick Perkins back from a knee injury in January.
“I picked (the Heat) to win the East (Conference). I think they are going to be fantastic,” TNT analyst Steve Kerr said. “The two drawbacks I see is with their size. Boston is so big and strong; Howard is so strong in the paint. I don't know if Miami has anyone that can handle the size of those two teams.”
A couple of second-tier contenders, the Bulls and Oklahoma City, will square off on national television Wednesday.
After leading Team USA to a gold medal at the FIBA World Championships, Thunder forward Kevin Durant is a popular pick to win MVP. The Bulls will be waiting for their free-agent addition, Carlos Boozer, until at least mid-November.
Among the other storylines are the potential trade of Denver star Carmelo Anthony sometime between now and February, along with labor negotiations that could result in a work stoppage before the start of next season.