The Bulls actually have an edge in health going into the season opener. He’s also a fan of Cavaliers forward LeBron James. “I’ll take all the bumps and bruises that I’m going to get when I’m done playing”, he said. “Because I know I left it all out on the floor”.
Advertisement
Despite all of that, Rose is more than confident heading into the season.
“That was one of the designs of the summer and one of the hopes”, coach David Blatt said. “Certainly we can be a contender, but beyond that?” The game has gave too much for me to ever cheat the game. We’re talking about how we can get everybody on the same page, get all our players back, work hard and try to make day-to-day progress. It was just good to see. James being healthy is extremely important for the Cavaliers, who are dealing with injuries to other key players, particularly point guard Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. The four-time National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player and two-time champion was undone by injuries to teammates, unable to carry the team to glory, and injuries still weigh upon Cleveland four months later.
James received the injection on October 12 and he said to the Akron Beacon Journal that the treatment was planned “all along” this preseason. “So we’re excited for the opportunity”. In addition to James’ back issues, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving remains sidelined after undergoing surgery to fix a broken kneecap. His return date is unknown. After all, the Bulls open with three games in four nights and Rose logged only 10 minutes in last week’s final exhibition game last Friday. Mozgov is still rehabbing his knee because he had surgery in the off-season. Anderson Varejao is working on fitness after Achilles tendon surgery last December.
Love dislocated his shoulder in the first round of last years playoffs and was out for the remainder of it. The Cavs didn’t even need Love to beat the Bulls.
Although his stats were down last season, James is in great shape and believes he can play at his unrivaled level.
The question for the Warriors is can they become a dynasty.
The Cavaliers are starting the season on the road against the Bulls and James appears on track to play after having an anti-inflammatory injection in his back a couple weeks ago. “It’s just interesting hearing it from a team that hasn’t been there”. When he is healthy though, he is one of the best players in the league and drives defenses insane with his ball handling skills, jump shooting and ability to drive the lane. Add James Harden-led Houston and the West again figures to be tough.
Advertisement
But combined with newcomer LaMarcus Aldridge from Portland and rising star Kawhi Leonard, a solid supporting cast and United States sport’s longest-tenured coach in Gregg Popovich, the Spurs might just be a threat for their second title in three seasons next June. A few presume to create a fantasy draft scenario where you’re picking a guy to reboot your franchise today to determine which player has the most value for the future.
