<div align="center"> <font color="DarkRed">Chicago Bulls</font> at <font color="Orange">Miami Heat </font> Game One: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 7:00pm at Heat TV: TNT <font size=""1""> Seems like just yesterday, the Bulls were valiantly battling the Miami Heat in the playoffs., five months later these two power houses get ready to go it all over again. As the 2006-07 season dawns upon us we are set to kick it off with what many believe will be a preview of this years Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls have reloaded after losing in the first round for the second year in a row, with the acquisition of Ben Wallace they have launched themselves into instant contender status. On the other hand the Miami Heat are out to prove they have what it takes to make it back to the top of the mountain, one more time. The question that looms around them is with nothing left to prove do these gritty group of veterans still have the hunger to make it back to the top? Bulls/Heat it’s going down!</font> </div> [div=50%] <font size=""1""> <font color="Orange">Miami Heat</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""Orange"">PG</font>- Jason Williams <font color=""Orange"">SG</font>- Dwyane Wade <font color=""Orange"">SF</font>- James Posey <font color=""Orange"">PF</font>- Udonis Haslem <font color=""Orange"">C</font>- Shaquille O‘Neal</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Pat Riley</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Dwyane Wade - 27.3 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shaquille O‘Neal- 9.2 RPG Assist Man: Dwyane Wade - 6.7 APG The 'X' Factor: Shaquille O’Neal (20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.9 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_williams.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Jason Williams </font> PPG: 12.3, RPG: 2.4, APG: 4.9 Jason Williams comes into the season with some nagging injuries. At nearly 31 years of age Williams has gone through his fair share of injuries, injuries that limited him to a mere 59 games last regular season. However, when healthy Williams is a viable scoring option for the Heat, and a shooter that stretches the court, as he proved last year in the playoffs. White Chocolate still has some flare to his game as well, but now a days it’s more of a controlled tempo then a runaway train. Look for Jason Williams to come up big in this game with some clutch shots. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwyane_wade.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Dwyane Wade </font> PPG: 27.3, RPG: 4.3, APG: 6.7 The Chicago native, reigning finals MVP, Dwyane Wade has typically struggled (by Wade standards) when facing the Bulls over the previous years. Although, he somewhat got past this during the playoff series between the two teams. The fact remains that the Bulls above average defense tends to contain Dwyane for the most part. I still expect Wade to go for 20+ tonight, but every single shot will be a tough one. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/james_posey.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">James Posey </font> PPG: 7.2, RPG: 4.8, APG: 1.3 James Posey returns to the Heat after a off-season in which his future seemed uncertain. Despite all the rumors about his future Posey is back in Miami and ready to contribute to a possible repeat. Posey has gained a reputation as a dirty player, at least in the minds of Bulls fans, due to his Hinrich tackle last year. I don’t expect to see Posey drive down the lane very often this game….if he does Chicago’s new enforcer might have a little gift for him. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/udonis_haslem.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Udonis Haslem</font> PPG: 9.3, RPG: 7.8, APG: 1.2 Udonis Haslem not only helped the Heat beat the Bulls last year, he got a mouthpiece deal out of it! All jokes aside Haslem is a work horse who has improved with each season he has been in the league. Don’t expect this year to be any different. He will have a tough match up against the always consistent PJ Brown when these two teams square off. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shaquille_oneal.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shaquille O’Neal </font> PPG:20.0, RPG: 9.2, APG: 1.9 The Diesel held true to his promise, and got Miami a title. However, the question now remains, does O’Neal have the hunger to push the Heat to one more NBA finals appearance? He has already proved himself by winning a title without Kobe. With nothing left to prove is the drive still there. The Bulls made Shaq look mediocre last year, I wonder if Shaq will come out trying to prove something? [/div] <font color="Darkred"> Chicago Bulls</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Kirk Hinrich <font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>- Ben Gordon <font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>- Luol Deng <font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- PJ Brown <font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Ben Wallace</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Scott Skiles</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Ben Gordon- 17.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Ben Wallace-11.3 RPG Assist Man: Kirk Hinrich- 6.3 APG The 'X' Factor: Luol Deng (14.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Kirk Hinrich</font> PPG: 15.9, RPG: 3.6, APG: 6.3 Kirk Hinrich will have a lot on his mind, as he is in his contract year, when these two teams square off. However, don’t expect that to affect the way he plays on the court, at least not in a negative way. Hinrich has been the model of consistency since entering the league as a rookie four years ago. If anything this contract controversy should fuel him to have the best season of his career thus far. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Ben Gordon</font> PPG: 17.0 PPG, RPG: 2.7, APG: 3.0 Ben Gordon wanted it and he finally got it. Gordon comes into the 200-07 season as the unquestioned starting shooting guard poised to have the best season of his career. Gordon is off to a slow start, as he has struggled in the preseason. I don’t expect it to carry over into the regular season, Gordon has a tendency to struggle during the preseason finding his offensive game. However, as soon as the regular season arrives he is back to his old self. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Luol Deng</font> PPG: 14.3, RPG: 6.6, APG: 1.9 Luol Deng scared every team in the NBA this off-season when he stated that everything he accomplished last year, he did so while still feeling the affects from his wrist surgery (which he had the off-season prior). With that said it’s no wonder so much is expected of him this year by Bulls fans and his teammates alike. This will be his first shot at the Heat since his forgettable performance in last years playoffs. He will come out with something to prove. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/pj_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">PJ Brown</font> PPG: 9.0, RPG: 7.3, APG: 1.2 PJ Brown, one of the Bulls key off-season acquisitions, is ready to contribute to a contender once again after struggling through several consecutive losing seasons in New Orleans. The 13 year NBA veteran will be one of the Bulls tri-captains this season and most certainly a key clog in the front court rotation all season long. The main concern will be his health, at age 37 Brown is coming off a season in which he missed the last several games due to injury. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_wallace.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Ben Wallace</font> PPG: 7.3, RPG:11.3, APG: 1.9 The reigning nba defensive player of the year makes his first start, not wearing a Pistons jersey, in six years. Wallace has made the Bulls into instant contenders and has everyone around Chicago looking forward to a deep run in the playoffs come June. Some wonder however does Wallace still have the drive to be a dominant force? Well here is his chance to prove it against the center that dominated him less than a year ago. </font> <div align="center"> </div> <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Defense</font></font> <font size=""1"">the Bulls defense will be under heavy scrutiny to perform at a high level due to all the build up and hype it has received this off-season. The Bulls need to come out and make a statement early. They cannot let the Heat get out of the gate fast.</font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Protect the Paint</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Bulls will need to keep the Heats points in the paint to a minimum. With Wade slashing towards the bucket and Shaq trying to get position down low. The Bulls will need to play team defense and communicate with each other to not allow many easy buckets.</font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> <font size="1">I expect the Bulls to come out and make a statement to the league. They are looking to let everyone know that they will be a force to recon with come April/June and what better way to do it then to start off the season with a blow out win against the defending champs?</font>
Nice MrJ-esque preview I'll take Heat by 5 in this one. I think they reigning NBA champs will be pumped up on the opener.
Honestly I think the Bulls win this one. The bulls have a nack for shutting down wade. And with out new bigmen (Brown, Wallace) shaq should be contained meaning the game will lie in the hands of Walker, posey and williams. I think the bull sin this one 90-84. Go Bulls!!!
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Malik Allen and Mike Sweetney pictures might need a change but other wise great preview.</div> I changed it just for you ....
<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I changed it just for you ....</div> now I can sleep
Only one issue...PJ wasn't a FA pickup, offseason pickup, yes, but not an FA. Regardless of that, good preview, and I'm superstoked for the game....too bad I have to miss it cause of work. Oh well, at least I get to catch the last three quarters of my Lakers game.
Nice write up. I don't know if this is just me, but using Firefox the starting 5 of each team don't come up side by side. They do in IE, but in Firefox it's the heat on top and then the Bulls
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nice write up. I don't know if this is just me, but using Firefox the starting 5 of each team don't come up side by side. They do in IE, but in Firefox it's the heat on top and then the Bulls</div> Yeah I got that as well with Firefox.
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nice write up. I don't know if this is just me, but using Firefox the starting 5 of each team don't come up side by side. They do in IE, but in Firefox <u>it's the heat on top and then the Bulls</u></div> Thats cuz the heat are gonna be on top lol i hope.
I think the Heat will win but Chicago will prove tough for Miami. Shaq will get slowed down but Wade will have a field day and I think Antoine Walker steps up.
I'm going with the underdog and I'm predicting a Bulls win. Ben Wallace will want to come out strong in his debut and I think Hinrich will have a big game to help start Chicago's season off strong at 1-0. Also, is it just me or does Luol Deng have the goofiest smile in the entire league.
IF Miami don't have a championship hangover and are lazy then the bulls could win. However I think it will take the Bulls a while to work things out.
Who cares about this game, the real game is Lakers v. Suns tonight? Just kidding. Great preview GameFace, we get to see what type of impact Ben Wallace can have against Shaq in his debut. The Heat have the homecourt edge, but they have a few players hampered by injuries. Both Jason Williams and Dwyane Wade are banged up, and it's been reported Antoine Walker came in out of shape and overweight. I think this game means a little more for the Bulls than the Heat, so I expect Chicago to win tonight. Chicago's team is built for success in the regular season with their ability to run and get point production from any player on the floor. Their depth is going to give Miami a lot of problems on opening night, because the Heat don't match up well against the Bulls second unit.
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">IF Miami don't have a championship hangover and are lazy then the bulls could win. However I think it will take the Bulls a while to work things out.</div> IMO outside of Wade and Shaq, Miami are a lazy and ordinary team.
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">IMO outside of Wade and Shaq, Miami are a lazy and ordinary team.</div> Alonzo Mourning is not lazy, Shaq tends to be...
I meant the starters. Based on what I saw last season during the playoffs. Antione Walker is good for about 30 misses a game from the 3.
Bulls are looking very good so far up 14-7. Ben Wallace is 1-1 from the line, all net. Deng has been aggressive, as has the whole Bulls team. Shaq is in foul trouble, and Zo just picked up one. Go Bulls!
