5 Must-See Games On Bulls' Schedule
By Cody Westerlund--
(CBS) The NBA released its 2016-'17 schedule Thursday afternoon, bringing us the answers to a couple intriguing questions.
When do the Knicks bring Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah for a visit to Chicago? And when do Tom Thibodeau and his Timberwolves play at the United Center?
The answers: Rose and Noah are in town on Nov. 4, while Thibodeau is back Dec. 13.
Those games highlight the Bulls' schedule. With that in mind, let's take a look at five must-see contests.
Celtics at Bulls, Oct. 27
Opening night is always notable, but it's especially intriguing here because no one has any idea how these Bulls will mesh. Will Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade form an attacking, defense-splicing trio that reinvigorates the fan base? Or will the offense be cluttered, stagnant and struggle because of their ball-dominating tendencies and subpar 3-point shooting? We'll get our first look here, and it comes against a quality Boston team that many project to be the second-best in the East.
Knicks at Bulls, Nov. 4
Drafted in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008, Noah and Rose defined an era of Bulls basketball, one that brought a return to prominence, great respect throughout the league, a 62-win season and some playoff triumphs if not ultimately a championship. Their breakup with the Bulls this past summer was understandable, all parties needing a fresh start, but this night will bring it into stark reality. Noah truly loved the city of Chicago, where his charity foundation promoting the arts and anti-violence initiatives is still based. Rose was the hometown kid who won the 2011 MVP before injury misfortune changed his career trajectory.
Plagued by injuries in recent seasons, both Noah and Rose have much left to prove, and they'd love to do it in the Chicago setting.
Bulls at Heat, Nov. 10
After 13 seasons in Miami, Wade shockingly bolted South Beach and signed a two-year, $47-million deal in Chicago. After doing so, he's sounded on many occasions a man conflicted, wondering just how it all broke with the only franchise he's ever known. This will mark his first trip back to Miami, and it will certainly be an emotional night for him, as he led the Heat to three championships in his tenure there. Also worth watching will be what type of interaction Wade and Heat president Pat Riley have. Riley didn't contact Wade at all during free agency, Wade said, and Riley has expressed regret for not getting more involved.
Timberwolves at Bulls, Dec. 13
Thibodeau has been back at the United Center several times since the Bulls unceremoniously fired him in May 2015. Most recently, he was an assistant on the Team USA sideline as it hosted Venezuela in an exhibition in late July. Prior to that contest, Thibodeau was introduced and received a hearty ovation from the crowd. Will he get a similar response when the Timberwolves make their once-a-season trip to town? Almost certainly. Time and the Bulls' struggles in 2015-'16 without Thibodeau have only made the hearts of Chicago basketball fans grow fonder for him. It figures to be quite the scene.
Bulls at Warriors, Feb. 8
It's always fun to see how you stack up against the best, right? This marks the Bulls' first chance against the Steph Curry/Kevin Durant-led Warriors, and it'll be quite the contrast of styles. At his introductory press conference in Chicago, Wade emphasized a key to the season will be the Bulls playing to their strengths and admitted firing 3-pointers like the Warriors do isn't one of them. There are no championship delusions in Chicago this season, but it will be interesting to see if the Bulls can hang with the league's best.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. He's also the co-host of the @LockedOnBulls podcast, which you can subscribe to on iTunes and Stitcher. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
