A quick preview of tonight’s action.
6:30 Bulls’ time – Comcast Sports Net – Bulls vs. Nets
Joakim Noah is out for tonight’s game. As far as we know at this point Ben Wallace is expected to play. The Tribune is interestingly projecting Joe Smith to start at PF. I would have guessed it would be Tyrus. Everything else should go according to the default plan. If Wallace doesn’t play I’m guessing Smith moves to C and Thomas starts at PF, but it could always be Noce too.
The New Jersey Nets aren’t, in my opinion, anything for the Bulls to worry about this season. They haven’t played well against the Nets in the recent past, but the both teams are a year older this year and that’s a good thing for Chicago while it’s a bad thing for New Jersey.
The Nets have Nenad Kristic back this season which should make a huge difference. He showed some great progress in his young career before missing last season with an injury. They also added Jamaal Magloire who is a solid big man if not spectacular and should add much needed depth up front. Mikki Moore is gone, but shouldn’t be missed too much. He had a decent season statistically because he had a lot of playing time for a guy with his limited talents. Overall, the Nets are a more complete team this season than they were last season but they’re also getting old. Jason Kidd is 35 and his age is going to show up in his play sooner rather than later. He looked good in the Tournament of the Americas this summer, but in the NBA he’ll be playing with far less talent around him and far more on the opposing teams. Vince Carter, coming off of a great year statistically, also isn’t as young as he once was and, more importantly, isn’t in a contract year. Vince has shown himself to be the Randy Moss of basketball, an amazingly talented player who only tries when it suits him.
The Nets suffered a lot of injuries last season and very well could again this season. If they don’t, they should have a decent record. If they do, they’re done for. I think the age of Kidd and Carter will become more and more evident as the season progresses. However, they should be fresh enough on opening night. I think this game will be close for a long time and then one team will pull away. New Jersey is a -2.5 favorite. I’m not sure who will win, but I think it will be by more than three points. Since it’s the first game of the season and I don’t have much to work with, let’s say Chicago wins and covers the spread.
I plan to do a mini diary during the game and post it afterwards, so look out for that later tonight. Go Bulls!
