Chicago Bulls Pre-Season Game 1

The time is finally here! As the NBA season gets closer and closer, us fans sit and wait anxiously to see how this season turns out for our teams. One way we can determine that is through the pre-season and, tonight, the Chicago Bulls take on the New Orleans Pelicans (8:30 CT). I can’t wait, I have so many hopes and expectations for this team.

As most Bulls fans know, and maybe even NBA fans in general, Lonzo Ball and the Chicago Bulls had to go with their last resort plan for his knee issues – another surgery. According to Rob Schaefer at NBC Sports Chicago, Lonzo’s knee surgery “went well” and Ball is “in upbeat spirits”. He also shares the internal optimism “that the surgery addressed Ball’s persisted knee pain.” Gosh I hope this is true. I really, really do. As I’ve said before, the Bulls need him badly on both ends of the court. Although this is all good news, there is no set return date for him. He could be out for months again. We will just have to wait and see.

This morning I was at the gym listening to the Bulls Talk Podcast. It was KC Johnson and Will Perdue discussing Nikola Vucevic’s offseason and I have to say I am impressed. I know I’ve been a bit of a hater recently, but I am open to having my mind changed. According to KC Johnson, Vucevic turned down the opportunity to play for his international team during the NBA offseason. I didn’t understand how big of a decision this was for him until I listened to the show this morning. Apparently for the European players in the league, if they don’t play for their international team during their offseason, people over there can get really upset and take it very personally. So, it doesn’t sound like it was an easy decision for him. However, I 100% respect his decision. Vucevic wanted to work hard this summer in order to have a great season, how can you not respect that? He is also in a contract season so he is looking for that extension, but we all know how much he loves Chicago and wants to be successful with the Bulls and as a Bull. So, props to him for doing that, and I truly hope he has a great year.

As I said earlier, I am so pumped to watch the Bulls tonight. Win or lose, it will be a great time! I also cannot wait to head to the United Center and watch some games this season. I think it’s going to be a really great and interesting year. We will see how things play out, but I am expecting some great things!