Big Reality Check in Miami for the Bulls

After going 8 - 0 in the preseason and stirring up quite a lot of excitement, the Bulls ran into a buzz saw in Miami.  I was focused on the Bears and Blackhawks, so I purposely skipped these games.  But from the highlights I saw and the articles I read, they Bulls had reason to feel really good going into the big season opener against the thrice NBA champions Heat.  Instead, they left American Airlines Arena with a big reality check and a rather rude awakening.  

Derrick Rose looked good in the early going

Sweet move by Derrick. Not many players can split the pick-and-roll defenders like that and take it to the rack!

Wicked move by Cole, breaks Derrick's ankles.  Derrick will not forget this.

Derrick Rose

The line that mattered the most came from coach Thibs, who said, "Now, we begin the journey."

Reference: Not enough of old Rose, Bulls there.

Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade

"No excuses," Noah said. "They kicked our ass tonight, but we'll be back. It's a long journey. It's a lot of basketball to be played."

Reference: Bulls vs. Heat: Some things never change.

Jimmy "Buckets" Butler

Yeah, Buckets and Deng had something like 3 fouls each in the 1st Q ... what was up with that!?!  It didn't drive me to ER, but it did drive me up the wall (lol)!  

Booze Cruise had it going, for sure. 

That's right, Booze Cruise was on fiyyahhh!

Yep, Noah isn't recovered, yet.  He pulled down 11 boards, but he wasn't elevating very well.  So Thibs has to make a tough decision on him: Does he sit him out, and keep him playing?  Probably the latter, but then how does he play him?  Noah cannot have those monsters minutes like last year.  

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD